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–+ servings

King Cake

Sea Salt Savorings
This traditional king cake is a New Orleans classic and is served in celebration of Mardi Gras. The cake is topped with a sweet glaze and festive sprinkles- but who will find the baby?!
5 from 17 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
rise time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 king cake
Calories 4037 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin
  • Small bowl
  • Parchment paper line baking sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 5-5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 packet of rapid rise yeast
  • 1/2 cup milk warmed to 120 degrees (microwave for 25 seconds)
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup butter cubed, room temperature
  • plastic baby

Cinnamon sugar

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

Icing

  • 1 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tbsp water

Decorative sugar sprinkles

  • 4 tbsp green sprinkles
  • 4 tbsp gold sprinkles
  • 4 tbsp purple sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Combine and whisk 5 cups of flour, sugar, salt, lemon zest, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and orange juice. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture, then pour the yeast mixture in the center.
  • Stir the mixture until it creates a shaggy dough. Add one tablespoon of butter at a time, making sure to full incorporate it before adding the next. Add a tablespoon of flour at a time if the dough is too wet, up to 1/2 cup.
  • Lightly oil a bowl, then place the dough ball in the bowl. Drape a damp kitchen towel over the bowl, then place the bowl in the fridge for 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Dump the dough out on a lightly floured surface. Flour your rolling pin, then stretch the dough into a 12X20 inch rectangle.
  • Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle the sugar mixture on the dough, keeping the 1 inch edge of the dough clear.
  • Grab the long edge near you, then roll the dough into itself so it is rolled into a cylinder shape. Place the plastic baby randomly in the dough about mid way through rolling it.
  • Place the dough on a parchment paper lined baking sheet seam side down. Join the ends of the dough together, Wet your fingers and pinch the edges togeher.
  • Place the king cake in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 40 minutes.
  • Remove the king cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 30 minutes. Combine the confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract, and water. Mix until it is a glaze.
  • Glaze the king cake with the icing using a spoon, then decorate the cake with the green, gold, and purple spinkles. Cut, serve, mangia!

Nutrition

Calories: 4037kcalCarbohydrates: 787gProtein: 89gFat: 112gSaturated Fat: 65gCholesterol: 584mgSodium: 3334mgPotassium: 1390mgFiber: 24gSugar: 127gVitamin A: 3881IUVitamin C: 101mgCalcium: 418mgIron: 34mg

Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.

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