Fiesta Food: Coca de Sant Joan

This recipe is for a typical cake that is eaten on the feast day Sant Joan (23rd June) or San Juan in Castillian . A Coca is a Valencian and Catalan snack that can be sweet or savoury, it can be made from a variety of doughs and toppings. This recipe is for a sweet version that calls for a selection of mixed candied or crystallized fruits, but you can also add some dried fruits and nut if you prefer.

100ml milk
30g fresh yeast
400g plain flour
1 large egg
grated rind of 1 lemon
30g melted butter
85g sugar
1 egg yolk, beaten
170g of candied or crystallized fruit
55g pine nuts


1-Warm the milk and dissolve the yeast in it, mix with 125g of the flour and leave in a warm place until it has risen.
2-Mix the remaining flour with the whole egg, lemon rind, butter and sugar. Mix with the risen dough and kned until completely incorporated.
3-Place the dough in the centre of a greased 40cm x30cm baking tray and push the sides of the dough out until it fills the baking tray and is even all over. Brush the dough with the beaten egg yolk.
4-Decorate the dough with the candied fruits and pine nuts. Sprinkle with more sugar and leave to prove.
5-Bake the coca in a preheated oven 200ºC for 25 minutes. enjoy hot or within the same day.