Easy King Cake
A delightful and festive cake capturing the essence of Mardi Gras with its soft texture and vibrant colors.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 cups All-purpose flour Use top-quality flour for best results.
- 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 packet Instant yeast Ensure yeast is not expired for proper rising.
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 cups Milk Warm the milk before adding.
- 0.25 cups Unsalted butter, melted Melt butter before mixing in.
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Can substitute with almond extract for a different flavor.
For Decoration
- Colored sugar Purple, green, and yellow sugar for topping Represents justice, faith, and power.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt until combined.
- In a saucepan, heat milk and butter until warm, then add to dry ingredients.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and silky.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes elastic and slightly sticky, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Let the dough rise in a greased bowl, covered, until it doubles in size (about 1 hour).
Baking
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle, then shape it into a ring.
- Place on a baking sheet and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack, then drizzle icing over the top and sprinkle with colored sugar.
Notes
For additional flavor, consider adding a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg. Knead until the dough feels like a soft pillow. This recipe is perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations and can be altered with seasonal flavors.