Queen’s Cake: Traditional Recipe with Dried Fruits

Queen Cake: Traditional Recipe of Portuguese Ring Cake with Dried Fruits

O Queen Cake is a delicious Portuguese ring cake, traditionally made with a sweet bread dough enriched with walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, and raisins. This recipe is typical of the period between Christmas and Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th, evoking the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus. Besides its irresistible flavor, the cake carries a rich cultural history, bringing families and friends closer during the festivities.

History and Tradition of the Portuguese Queen Cake

Celebrated in various cultures around the world, the custom of preparing sweet breads and cakes around Epiphany is a tradition that spans centuries and continents. From the French Galette des Rois to the King Cake of New Orleans, passing through the Italian Panettone, each region adds its special touch of ingredients such as candied fruits, dried fruits, and spices.

In Portugal, the Queen Cake shares the same origin as the King Cake, but with a dough enriched mainly with dried fruits and fewer candied fruits, giving it a more natural flavor and distinctive textures.

A charming tradition related to these ring cakes is hiding a small object inside the dough — sometimes a miniature porcelain figure symbolizing a king or queen. Whoever finds the object is considered the lucky one at that celebration, a custom full of magic and anticipation.

Special Ingredients for the Queen Cake

• Dry yeast to ensure perfect dough rising;
• Warm milk, which activates the yeast and provides lightness;
• Wheat flour of good quality for a soft texture;
• Sugar and eggs, which sweeten and enrich the dough;
• Butter at room temperature for flavor and softness;
• Natural vanilla essence and lemon and orange zest for a refreshing aroma;
• Port wine, a traditional Portuguese touch that enhances the flavor;
• Dried fruits such as walnuts, whole almonds, cashew nuts, and raisins;
• Optionally, candied orange or orange liqueur to moisten the fruits and intensify the aroma;
• Powdered sugar for decoration.

Step-by-Step to Prepare the Queen Cake

1. Initial dough preparation: Mix the dry yeast with warm milk, 1/4 cup of flour, and a bit of sugar and let this mixture rest for 15 minutes until it forms foam.

2. Mixing the ingredients: In the mixer, combine the remaining flour, sugar, eggs, salt, vanilla, Port wine, lemon and orange zest, and softened butter. Add the yeast mixture and beat at low speed using the hook to incorporate the ingredients.

3. Kneading the dough: Increase the speed to medium, continue beating and add flour gradually until the dough is smooth, soft, and starts to pull away from the bowl. If you don’t have a mixer, kneading by hand takes about 20 minutes.

4. Resting: Form a ball with the dough, lightly dust with flour, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.

5. Adding the dried fruits: Mix the dried fruits (and optionally the candied orange) in a bowl. After resting, press the dough to release air, spread the fruits on top and gently mix using the mixer at low speed to incorporate evenly.

6. Shaping: Lightly flour a surface, shape the dough into a ball, make a hole in the center with your thumb and stretch it to form a ring about 12 cm in diameter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

7. Second rise: Cover with a clean cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

8. Preparing to bake: Preheat the oven to 180ºC (356ºF). Gently brush the ring with egg yolk to give shine.

9. Baking: Bake for approximately 40 to 45 minutes, until well browned and firm to the touch.

10. Finishing: Remove from the oven, sprinkle powdered sugar while still hot, wait a bit, sprinkle again, let cool slightly and transfer to a rack. Dust one last time before cutting and serving.

Tips for a Perfect Queen Cake

• Use quality dried fruits and, if desired, moisten them with orange syrup or liqueur for extra flavor.
• The dough should be soft and slightly sticky to the bowl, adjusting flour as needed.
• The long resting time is crucial for flavor and texture development.
• Avoid opening the oven in the first 30 minutes to ensure even rising.
• When shaping the ring, keep the hoop very even for uniform baking.

Want to further enhance your experience with Portuguese sweets? Try related recipes like Broken Cake with Almond Cream, or other almond delights such as classic financiers e Italian almond cookies.

Conclusion

O Queen Cake is more than just a ring cake: it’s a celebration of tradition, flavor, and affection. With its dried fruits and distinctive aromas, it makes any party special, especially during Christmas and Epiphany. Preparing it at home is a loving gesture that unites ancestral flavors and modern moments. Surprise your family and friends with this authentic and charming recipe, a symbol of Portuguese culture and the joy of festivities.