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Mardi Gras King Cake

Freshly prepared Mardi Gras King Cake on white plate
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Celebrate Mardi Gras with this traditional King Cake, featuring a sweet, cinnamon-spiced dough braided and decorated in vibrant purple, green, and gold sugars.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water (110°F)
  • 1 cup warm whole milk
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 plastic baby figurine (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Colored sanding sugar in purple, green, and gold

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand for 5 minutes until bubbly.
  2. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and yeast mixture.
  3. Gradually add 3 cups of flour and salt, mixing until combined.
  4. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
  5. Add remaining flour ½ cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
  6. Knead dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  7. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours or until doubled.
  8. Punch down dough and roll into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
  9. Spread softened butter over dough, then sprinkle evenly with additional brown sugar and cinnamon.
  10. Roll dough tightly into a log, then form into a ring and seal the ends.
  11. If desired, insert a plastic baby figurine into the bottom of the ring.
  12. Place ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and let rise for another 45 minutes.
  13. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  14. Bake cake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
  15. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  16. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make icing.
  17. Drizzle icing over the cooled cake and generously sprinkle purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in traditional Mardi Gras colors.

Notes

For best results, serve the King Cake the day it’s made. Refrigerate leftovers tightly wrapped and bring to room temperature before serving.

Find it online: https://foodnarrative.com/mardi-gras-king-cake-delicious-tradition/