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