Recipes 

Befana Cake

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Befana Cake

Befana Cake is traditionally made for the Feast of the Three Kings.
Before the cake is baked, a large dried bean is added to the dough.
The cake is presented on a crown and whoever receives the slice with
the bean is king (or queen) for the day.

(Serves 8 to 10)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup raisins

  • 1/4 cup diced candied lemon peel

  • 1/4 cup diced candied orange peel

  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon brandy, Amaretto, or orange liqueur

  • 1 tablespoon dry yeast

  • 1/2 cup warm water (110-115 degrees F)

  • 5 cups flour

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

  • 8 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 2 eggs

  • 1/2 cup warm milk

  • 1/2 cup chopped or sliced almonds

  • 1 large dried bean

  • 1 egg yolk

  • 2 tablespoons coarse brown sugar

Directions:

  1. Put the raisins in a bowl, cover with warm water and set aside.

  2. In another bowl, combine the candied lemon and orange peels and 1/4 cup brandy or liqueur and set aside.

  3. In another bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water. Add 1 cup of flour and mix until a sponge dough is formed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

  4. Let the sponge dough rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes.

  5. With an electric mixer, combine 4 cups of flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest.

  6. Add the butter, eggs, and milk.  Blend to form a stiff dough. Add the risen sponge dough and beat until well combined. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes and smooth. Grease a large bowl, place the dough in and turn it once to coat both sides. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

  7. Butter a 10 x 3- inch deep round cake pan.

  8. Drain the raisins and candied citrus peels, reserving the brandy.

  9. Pat the fruit dry.

  10. Punch down the dough.  Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

  11. Pat the dough into a large rectangle. Sprinkle the raisins, candied peels, almonds and dried bean over the dough. Form the dough into a ball and knead to distribute the fruits and nuts. Place the dough in the cake pan, cover with a towel.  Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

  12. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  13. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolk, and 1 tablespoon brandy.

  14. Brush the top of the cake with this mixture and sprinkle with the coarse sugar.

  15. Bake 45 minutes until golden brown. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

  16. Run a knife around the side of the pan to loosen the cake and turn it onto a rack to cool. To serve, cut in wedges.

  17. Be sure to tell those eating the cake that there is a large bean in someone’s slice, so that no one bites into it.

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