| Prep: 2 hours | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 895 | 45g | 27g | 108g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 58g | 3g | 15g | 0.38g |
About King Cake
If there’s one bread that truly reigns supreme during the Mardi Gras season, it is the fabled King Cake. Bursting with flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg, it is wrapped in a sweet and fragrant cloud of vanilla, lemon zest, and the buttery goodness of egg yolks. It’s difficult to resist, isn’t it?.
The Story Behind King Cake
The King Cake is not just about its incredible taste but also holds a historical significance. Tied to the traditions of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, this fascinating bread bears a blend of international culinary influences, from French galette des rois to Spanish roscón. The elusive small plastic baby doll tucked inside this cake, much to the surprise of the unsuspecting eater, is another intriguing aspect of its tradition. Whoever finds the baby is said to enjoy good fortune and is tasked with hosting the next King Cake party. So are you ready to take on the tradition?
The Sweet Symphony of Flavors
The secret behind the delightful taste of King Cake lies in the harmonious blend of its ingredients. The smooth, creamy texture of the cake owes to the warm milk and melted butter that go into it. A liberal pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg provides an aromatic exuberance. The freshness of the grated lemon zest coupled with the unique flavor of vanilla can make any palate sing. Atop all of this goodness rests an icing made with confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and almond extract, elegantly adorned with purple, green, and yellow sanding sugar, the traditional colors of Mardi Gras.
Complementary Pairings to Try with King Cake
As delicious as it is on its own, the King Cake can also wonderfully pair with other dishes to create a perfect feast. Consider it as your dessert after scarfing down a bowl of New Orleans Style Gumbo, or let it accompany your morning cup of dark roast coffee. But let’s not just stop at food – serve it with a glass of Hurricane cocktail for a truly New Orleans style feast.
So, ready to make your own King Cake and delve into its history, flavors and cultural significance? It might just make you the king or queen of your next get-together.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup warm milk (105-110 degrees F)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dry yeast
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup melted butter
- 5 egg yolks, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 small plastic baby doll
- For the icing:
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Purple, green and yellow sanding sugar
Method
Step One
Start by warming the milk to a temperature of 105-110 degrees F. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of dry yeast and half a cup of granulated sugar in the warm milk. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Step Two
In a large bowl, combine 3 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of grated fresh lemon zest, 3 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Add 1 cup of melted butter and 5 beaten egg yolks. Stir everything together until it forms a soft and sticky dough.
Step Three
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours until it doubles in size.
Step Four
After the dough has risen, punch it down and then divide it into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope and braid them together. Join the ends to form a ring shape and then insert the small plastic baby doll into the dough from the bottom. Set the dough aside for another 45 minutes to let it rise again.
Step Five
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the cake for 25 to 35 minutes or until it is golden brown. Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Step Six
While the cake is cooling, prepare the icing. In a bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, fresh lemon juice and almond extract until it is smooth and drizzly. Adjust the thickness by adding more sugar or milk as necessary.
Step Seven
Once the cake is cool, drizzle it evenly with the icing and then sprinkle the purple, green and yellow sanding sugar on top. Your king cake is now ready to be sliced and served.
