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Local Bakery Meets Demand of Popular Rosca de Reyes
- Updated: January 16, 2025
By Mike Villarreal
At Abby’s Bakery in Los Fresnos, the atmosphere was bustling as the dedicated staff worked tirelessly to meet the growing demand for their traditional Rosca de Reyes. This beloved pastry, steeped in local custom, is a highlight of the festive season and draws customers from near and far. To ensure they met the rising popularity, the bakery team ramped up their production significantly, baking around 2,000 more roscas. More than the previous year. The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, and the excitement of the upcoming celebrations added to the energy in the kitchen as everyone worked diligently to honor this cherished tradition.
As the New Year approached, a cherished local tradition began for residents in the Rio Grande Valley and worldwide. Known as Three Kings Day or Little Christmas, January 6 marks the first full Monday of the workweek in 2025 and the celebration of Epiphany. This Christian holiday honors the three wise men’s visit to the baby Jesus.
This occasion is celebrated in many Latin American countries with a traditional Rosca de Reyes. Typically, Rosca de Reyes is a sweet bread adorned with cherries and colored stripes, with a plastic baby Jesus hidden inside. This has become a central part of the holiday festivities, bringing families and friends together to commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men with food and rich customs. But why do some people eat it every January, and what does it symbolize?
Rosca de Reyes, or “Kings Cake,” is a special pastry eaten on January 6 (Three Kings Day) to commemorate the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus. The tradition of eating this pastry bread 12 days after Christmas stems from beliefs in the Christian faith.
Inside every Rosca de Reyes is a little plastic baby Jesus, symbolizing the newborn Messiah. The shape of the Rosca represents a crown—in this case, the crown of King Herod, from whom the infant Jesus was being hidden. Finding the baby Jesus in your slice of Rosca de Reyes means you will host a party on February 2 (Día de la Candelaria) and typically offer tamales and sweets.
For more information on Abby’s Bakery, you can visit them on their Facebook page or give them a call at (956) 233-9600. They are located at 417 West Ocean Blvd. Suite #8 in Los Fresnos.
Photos by Abby’s Bakery Facebook Page
