Bakeries Scramble to Meet Demand for Special Cake for Today's Epiphany Commemorations

Two weeks after opening her bakery five years ago, Odette Orduño had no idea how cooking her first rosca de reyes, or king cake, would work for her business, let alone how to anticipate orders for the festivity."The first year, we worked on demand. But it was very chaotic," said Orduño, owner of El Sol Panadería, a bakery in Irving where she employs 15 people. "That day, we all had to work," she said.This year, Orduño started early before Día de los Reyes Magos, or the Epiphany, which is Friday. Customers have been coming in this week in search of roscas, which, according to the Catholic faith, commemorate the visit of the three wise men to Jesus after his birth. Orduño pledged to be ready."Especially this year, when the celebration falls on Saturday and Sunday, people will keep looking for [roscas] the whole weekend," the owner said.El Sol made 1,300 roscas for the Epiphany last year and sold out.The treat appeals not only to Latinos."We have many Americans, many people from India, people from other cultures and countries," Orduño said. "They say they are attracted by the scent."Every rosca looks the same except in size. They include biznaga (a three-color candy), acitrón (caramelized candy), and "we particularly add fig and oranges, as well," she said.  Continue reading...