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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—a sweet, cinnamon-filled pastry topped with vibrant purple, green, and gold sugar, perfect for any festive gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
  • 1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
  • Food coloring in purple, green, and gold
  • Plastic baby figurine (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  3. Add the yeast mixture to the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
  4. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
  6. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped pecans for the filling.
  7. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle about 12×18 inches on a lightly floured surface.
  8. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
  9. Roll the dough up tightly from the long edge into a log and pinch the seams closed.
  10. Form the log into a ring shape, sealing the ends together.
  11. Place the ring on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
  12. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  13. Let the cake cool completely before glazing.
  14. Mix powdered sugar with milk to create a smooth glaze. Divide glaze into three bowls and color each with purple, green, and gold food coloring.
  15. Drizzle the colored glazes over the cake in stripes, alternating colors.
  16. Optionally, hide a small plastic baby figurine inside the cake before the second rise to continue tradition.

Notes

For an extra festive touch, serve with a cup of bold coffee or spiced tea. Remember to warn guests about the plastic baby figurine for safety.

Find it online: https://kierasrecipes.com/mardi-gras-king-cake-delight/