A special treat served to celebrate Three Kings Day (January 6) is the rosca de reyes – a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits.
Traditionally tiny figures shaped like infants are slipped into the dough before it is baked, symbolizing efforts to keep the baby Jesus hidden from the wrathful King Herod.
Originally fashioned from clay or porcelain, nowadays the babies are usually made of plastic.
The slicing of the rosca always generates great excitement, for whoever gets a portion containing a niño will be designated as the padrino (godparent) charged with hosting a follow-up party February 2 to celebrate Candlemas and the end of Mexico’s extended holiday season.