King Cake is a delightful pastry that celebrates the Mardi Gras season with its vibrant colors and hidden surprises. This recipe brings together a sweet brioche-like dough, a cinnamon filling, and a colorful glaze to create a show-stopping dessert that is perfect for gatherings and festive celebrations.
### Ingredients
For the Dough:
– 1 cup whole milk, warmed
– 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– 4 large eggs
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon salt
– Zest of 1 lemon
For the Filling:
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze:
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 3-4 tablespoons milk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Purple, green, and gold sprinkles (or colored sugar)
For the Hidden Surprise:
– 1 small plastic baby figurine or a dried bean (optional)
### Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it is just lukewarm. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
In the same bowl, add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and salt. Mix well to combine. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about 1-2 hours.
Prepare the Filling:
While the dough is rising, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside.
Shape the Cake:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 14×24 inches. Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.
Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the edges to seal.
Form the King Cake by bringing the ends of the log together to create a ring. Place it on a greased baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If using, carefully insert the plastic baby or dried bean into the bottom of the cake.
Cover the cake with a towel and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
Bake the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the King Cake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Once baked, let it cool on a wire rack.
Prepare the Glaze:
In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
Decorate the Cake:
Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Immediately sprinkle with the purple, green, and gold sprinkles for a festive touch.
Serve and Enjoy:
Slice the King Cake and enjoy with friends and family! Remember, whoever finds the hidden baby or bean is responsible for bringing the next King Cake to the party!
This delightful pastry not only tastes amazing but also brings joy and tradition to your celebrations. Happy baking!