King Cake
A delicious homage to Mardi Gras, this festive King Cake is rich with buttery flavor and adorned with colorful icing, evoking warmth and togetherness.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup milk, warm Warm but not scalding
- 2.25 teaspoons yeast Active dry yeast
- 0.5 cup sugar, granulated For the dough
- 0.5 cup butter, softened Adds richness to the dough
- 3 large eggs Adds richness and color
- 4 cups flour All-purpose flour or bread flour
Filling Ingredients
- 0.5 cup brown sugar For the filling
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon For flavoring the filling
Toppings
- icing simple icing For drizzling on top
- colored sugar vibrant colored sugars To decorate
- 1 plastic baby Optional, for tradition
Instructions
Dough Preparation
- Warm milk until cozy, then sprinkle yeast on top and allow it to activate.
- Mix in sugar and softened butter, then add eggs, blending until well combined.
- Incorporate flour gradually and knead the dough for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover with a warm cloth and allow it to rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled.
Filling and Shaping
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Spread softened butter on the dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and shape it into a ring, sealing the edges.
- Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rise for another 30 to 45 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow the cake to cool before icing and decorating.
Decorating
- Whisk together icing ingredients and drizzle over the cooled cake.
- Sprinkle with colored sugars and hide the plastic baby inside.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, substitute with almond or coconut milk and dairy-free butter. Enjoy fresh within two days or freeze for longer storage with proper wrapping.