Cake
Mardi Gras King Cake
On December 11, 2023 by userThe King Cake is a traditional dessert associated with Mardi Gras, especially in New Orleans. It’s a sweet and colorful pastry that is often adorned with purple, green, and gold icing, representing justice, faith, and power. Here’s a basic recipe for a Mardi Gras King Cake:
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars (for decoration)
Instructions:
- Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast is activated and becomes frothy.
- Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture, sugar, flour, salt, nutmeg, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until the dough comes together.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon to create the filling.
- Roll Out Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
- Add Filling: Spread the filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
- Form and Seal: Roll the dough into a log and form it into a ring. Pinch the edges to seal.
- Second Rise: Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet, cover it, and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the King Cake for 25-30 minutes or until it’s golden brown.
- Prepare Icing: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to create the icing.
- Decorate: Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the icing over the top. Sprinkle purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in alternating sections.
- Serve: Slice and serve the Mardi Gras King Cake, traditionally with a small trinket (like a plastic baby) hidden inside. The person who finds the trinket in their slice is said to have good luck and is responsible for hosting the next Mardi Gras party.
Enjoy your festive Mardi Gras King Cake!