Tag Archives: King Cake

Feb13

King Cake

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I was asked to bring a King Cake to the Mardi Gras party we attended this Friday.  This being my first King Cake, both making and eating, I took my charge seriously, did some research and decided that the basic milk bread recipe would be a great choice for this traditional offering.

    King Cake:

    Milk Bread:
    1 package dry active yeast
    3 Tbs warm water (105º to 115ºF)
    1 cup warm milk (105º to 115ºF)
    5 Tbs melter butter
    3 Tbs sugar
    1 large egg
    1 tsp salt
    2 cups bread flour
    1 1/2 to 2 cups all-purpose flour

    Filling:
    2 Tbs sugar
    2 tsp ground cinnamon
    3 Tbs softened butter

    1. Combine the yeast and warm water in a large mixing bowl and let stand for 10 minutes.
    2. Add the warm milk, melted butter, sugar, egg, and salt and mix to combine.
    3. Gradually stir in the bread flour.
    4. Gradually add in the all-purpose flour until the dough is no longer sticky, but still moist
    5. Knead for 20 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
    6. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
    7. Gently punch down the dough, knead it a few times, return it to the bowl, cover, and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
    8. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.
    9. Spread the softened butter on the dough, combine the cinnamon and sugar, and dust over the butter.
    10. Roll the dough, from the long side, into a log. Pinch the seam, twist it several times and shape into a ring.
    11. Place the dough on a greased baking sheet, cover and let rise until doubled in volume.
    12. Preheat the oven to 375º
    13. Bake until the top is deep golden brown
    14. Remove the bread to a rack and glaze while it is still hot. Dust with purple, gold, and green sugar.
    15. Insert the trinket from the bottom before serving.

    Glaze:
    2 cups powdered sugar
    1/2 tsp almond extract
    1 tsp lemon juice
    1/4 cup milk

    Colored sugar:
    Place drops of food coloring in a glass bowl and, using the back of a spoon, spread it around the sides. Add about 1/4 cup of sugar and stir rapidly to distribute the color. Purple – 3 drops red, 2 drops blue. Gold – 4 drops yellow, 1/4 drop red