Dreikönigskuchen

Consider the possibilities and the cake! The recipe for Dreikönigskuchen, often known as "the royal cake," varies by region in Liechtenstein, but the size remains consistent. It's usually found in bakeries, and it may also contain a figure. It's perfect for a get-together!

Before baking, the cake dough is sweetened and studded with raisins and chocolate chips. This was traditionally molded into a crown, and a paper crown was made to go with it. The hat would subsequently be worn by the "monarch" of the celebration or gathering.

Ingredients: 500 g flour, 1 tsp salt, 3 tbsp sugar, 20 g fresh yeast or 8 g dried yeast, 300 ml milk, lukewarm, 60 g butter, soft, the zest of a lemon, the zest of an orange, 100 g raisins, 1 whole almond, 1 egg, slivered or sliced almonds and pearl sugar to decorate

Instructions:

1. Make the dough: In a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix together the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add the milk, zests, butter, and raisins, and mix on medium speed until it forms a smooth, stretchy dough—about ten minutes. Alternatively, knead by hand for about 20 minutes. Let rise until doubled, about 1-2 hours.
2. Form the bread: Split off eight, 80 g portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Make sure to press an almond (or a plastic king figurine, if you have one) into the bottom of one of the balls, then pinch the dough together around it so it is sealed in the ball., Use the rest of the dough to form a bigger ball, place this on a parchment covered baking sheet, then place the eight little balls in a circle around it. Let this rest for 30 minutes.
3. Bake: Preheat your oven to 180 C / 350 F / gas mark 4. Whisk the egg and brush it evenly over the bread. Sprinkle with slivered or sliced almonds and pearl sugar.Bake for 30 minutes. Whoever finds the almond in their piece is king for the day! It’s always nice to plump your raisins before adding them to the dough. You can do this in strongly brewed tea, or for something more adult, use rum or cognac. Pear sugar is known as Hagelzucker/sucre grêle, in German and French speaking Switzerland, respectively. Supermarket and bakery Dreikönigskuchen generally come with a paper crown. For an authentic experience, make your own and force the king to wear it for the whole day.