How to Make a King Cake for Mardi Gras

King Cakes are the traditional treat eaten during Mardi Gras feasts. Made of cinnamon dough and topped with a sweet glaze and purple, green and gold sugar to represent Justice, Faith and Power, the cake signifies the three gifts brought to the Christ Child by the kings during Epiphany. Whoever finds the hidden baby in their piece must throw next year's party or make next year's cake.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2 c. warm water
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 c. plus 1 tsp. sugar
• 4 c. flour
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 1/2 c. warm milk
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 stick plus 2 T. butter, softened
• 1 egg beaten with 1 T. of milk
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1" plastic baby (found in party stores)
• 3/4 c. confectioners sugar
• 1/4 c. lemon juice
• 3 - 6 T. of water
• Purple, green and gold sugars

1. Pour water into shallow bowl along with package of yeast and 2 t of the sugar. Allow to proof for 5-10 minutes, or until bubbly. Mix well, set aside for 10 minutes.

2. Combine 3 ½ c. flour, remaining sugar, nutmeg and salt. Sift into large bowl. Add lemon zest.

3. Form a hole in the center of the dough. Pour in yeast mixture and milk. Add egg yolks and dry ingredients. Mix with wooden spoon. Once smooth, add butter 1 T at a time and beat (8 total). Beat for 2 minutes until dough forms soft ball.

4. Knead dough onto floured surface, adding small amounts flour at a time, until ½-1 c. has been added. Once dough is no longer sticky, knead for 10 more minutes. The dough should be shiny.

5. Using a stick (or partial stick) of butter still wrapped in its paper, coat the inside of a bowl with the butter. Place dough in bowl and work it around the bowl until it is covered with butter. Cover with towel and let rise until doubled in size (about 1-1 ½ hours).

6. Coat baking sheet with butter. Punch down the dough then sprinkle with cinnamon and form it into a long snake. Fold the "snake" in half, pinch the ends, then twist the doubled "snake." Form a ring and pinch the ends together, so your dough now looks like a giant, twisted doughnut. Place on buttered baking sheet, cover with towel and let rise until doubled in size (about 45 minutes).

7. Brush surface of dough with egg and milk wash. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown (25-35 minutes). Cool on rack then insert plastic baby into one of the creases. Combine icing ingredients (confectioner's sugar, lemon, water) and spoon over cake. While icing is still wet, sprinkle colored sugars in alternating rows.

8. Serve in 2"-3" pieces. The cake resembles more of a breakfast pastry than a birthday cake.

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