Celebrate Mardi Gras with this festive King Cake recipe

Get into the spirit of Mardi Gras with this traditional King Cake recipe. This sweet, cinnamon-infused cake is a staple during the Carnival season in New Orleans. With its colorful icing and hidden trinket, it's a fun and delicious treat to enjoy with friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 package of active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup of warm water
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 4-5 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1 plastic baby figurine
• Purple, green, and gold icing (for decorating)

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter, eggs, salt, nutmeg, and half of the flour.
3. Add milk and yeast mixture, and gradually mix in remaining flour until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, then let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
5. Punch down the dough and roll it out into a long oval shape.
6. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the dough.
7. Place the plastic baby figurine in the dough, then roll it up and shape into a circle.
8. Let the dough rise again for 30 minutes, then bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
9. Once cooled, decorate the cake with purple, green, and gold icing in a festive pattern.

Interesting Facts