Bolo Rei

Bolo Rei

Bolo rei (English: literally King Cake) is a traditional Portuguese cake that is usually eaten around Christmas, from December 25 until the Dia de Reis (literally Day of Kings, a reference to the three kings) on January 6. The cake itself is round with a large hole in the centre, resembling a crown covered with crystallized and dried fruit.

The bolo rei is baked from a soft, white dough, with raisins, various nuts, and crystallized fruit. Also included is the characteristic "fava", and tradition dictates that whoever finds the fava has to pay for the bolo rei next year. Initially, a small prize was also included within the cake. However, the inclusion of the prize (usually a small metal toy) was forbidden by the European Union, citing safety reasons.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• King cake
• Panettone
• Tortell