The handcrafted Tortell de Reis that fills your Christmas table with magic

The morning of 6 January has a very distinctive aroma: orange blossom, butter, citrus zest and freshly baked dough, and behind every bite there is a Tortell de Reis recipe passed down from generation to generation. It is a magical moment when the family comes together, the crown is shared, and everyone waits with a smile, hoping not to find the bean.

For many families, seeking out the same flavour and texture every year is part of the Christmas ritual, and at Pastisseria Baixas we want you to keep this tradition alive without complications, enjoying a handcrafted tortell made in Barcelona.

TORTELL DE REIS with surprise, broad bean and crown

32,55€ – 63,00€Price range: 32,55€ through 63,00€

A handcrafted Tortell de Reis made in Barcelona

Our tortell is created from a tortell de Reis recipe refined over many years until achieving a light, fluffy and aromatic dough. We use high-quality strong flour, fresh eggs, butter, milk, sugar, orange blossom water and citrus zest, and we allow the dough to rest properly before decorating it with candied fruit, almonds and granulated sugar.

At Pastisseria Baixas you can choose different types of tortell to suit your taste: marzipan, cream, custard, truffle or unfilled for those who enjoy the dough itself to the fullest. They all share something important: a handcrafted Tortell de Reis made in Barcelona that you can order from our online shop.

What ingredients does the original Tortell de Reis contain?

If you think of a traditional tortell de Reis recipe, the key ingredients are simple and make all the difference. The original tortell is made with strong flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, fresh or baker’s yeast, salt, orange and lemon zest, and orange blossom water, resulting in a rich brioche-style dough that is very soft and fragrant.

The ring is then shaped, brushed with beaten egg and decorated with candied fruit, sugar and flaked almonds. At Pastisseria Baixas we follow this classic structure and rely on quality ingredients and careful fermentation to achieve a light, aromatic tortell that is a pleasure to eat.

What is the best flour for making Tortell de Reis?

To make a good tortell, it is best to use strong flour with a high protein content, as it allows the dough to support the butter, sugar and eggs without losing structure and helps achieve an airy, tender crumb. In our Barcelona bakery we work with carefully selected flours for enriched sweet doughs, ensuring the tortell keeps its volume and maintains a soft, pleasant texture.

What is inside a Tortell de Reis?

Inside the tortell there are always small surprises. Traditionally, two items are hidden within: the figurine and the bean. Whoever finds the figurine receives the crown and becomes the “king” or “queen” of the table. Whoever finds the bean, according to tradition, has to pay for the tortell, making every slice a fun and eagerly awaited moment.

At Pastisseria Baixas we also take great care with the filling. Whether you choose cream, truffle or custard, or prefer your tortell unfilled, you will always find a soft, fragrant and well-balanced crumb, the result of a tortell de Reis recipe designed for sharing.

A sweet with history and tradition in Spain

The Tortell de Reis holds a very special place in Spanish food culture. Its roots lie in the ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia, when the end of winter was celebrated by sharing sweet breads shaped in a circle, a symbol of cycles and renewal. Even then, a bean was hidden inside the dough, associated with good luck and abundance.

Over time, this custom moved into the Christian calendar and became linked to the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January, as a tribute to the arrival of the Three Kings. From the 18th century onwards, the tradition became firmly established in Spain. Later, the small “king” figurine and the decorative crown were added, both now essential elements of every tortell.

Beyond its flavour, it symbolises togetherness, celebration and the excitement of discovering who will wear the crown that year. Long before looking up any tortell de Reis recipe online, this sweet already served as a family meeting point.

Order your handcrafted Tortell de Reis from Pastisseria Baixas

If you want to enjoy a tortell made by hand, using quality ingredients and all the care of a traditional bakery, Pastisseria Baixas is your place in Barcelona. You can visit us in our shop to choose your favourite tortell, or place your order through our online shop and have it delivered to your home, ready to share one of the most special moments of the Christmas season.

Whether marzipan, cream, truffle, custard or unfilled, your handcrafted tortell de Reis will become the centrepiece of your Three Kings’ table. Let us take care of the baking and the details, and you simply focus on bringing your loved ones together and enjoying a bite full of tradition.