How about replacing the plastic king with something else? The king is only there to be found and is then thrown away, so you could replace it with something else, couldn't you? The custom goes back to a bean anyway, so that would be a more accurate way of implementing the tradition than using a plastic block.
Thank you for your suggestion to replace the plastic king PhilippT. It's always a highlight for the children when they receive a king figurine in addition to the crown and get to keep it. In western Switzerland, there is another tradition of Epiphany cakes in which porcelain figurines are added to the cake (without the surprise effect). The big challenge is the baking stability of any alternative figurines. We regularly look around for possible trends, but have not yet come across a suitable alternative that could replace the tried and tested plastic figurines. Best regards, Tamara
A figure made of edible material that can withstand a baking temperature of 180 degrees in a humid environment for half an hour without deforming and mixing with the dough? Well, good luck! ;)
