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Traditional King Cake

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Traditional King Cake is a festive, sweet yeast bread braided with cinnamon and topped with colorful sugar, celebrating Mardi Gras with rich flavors and a hidden surprise inside.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 1/4 cup water (110°F)
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
  • 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
  • Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for decoration
  • Plastic baby figurine (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, nutmeg, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  2. Warm the milk and water to about 110°F, then add to the dry ingredients along with melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts.
  3. Beat on medium speed until smooth, then gradually add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough pulls away from the sides.
  4. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until elastic and smooth.
  5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  6. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter for the filling.
  7. Punch down dough, roll into a large rectangle approximately 15×10 inches, then spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the dough.
  8. If using, hide the plastic baby figurine inside the filling on one edge.
  9. Roll dough tightly from the long side to form a log, then shape into a ring and pinch the ends to seal.
  10. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
  11. Brush with egg yolk wash and bake in preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
  12. Remove from oven and cool before decorating with alternating stripes of purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.

Notes

Serve the King Cake slightly warm with coffee for a traditional Mardi Gras treat. You can also add cream cheese filling for extra richness.

Find it online: https://grilldrip.com/traditional-king-cake-delicious-recipe/