Description
Indulge in the soft, buttery goodness of a traditional King Cake made with a decadent brioche-style dough. This Mardi Gras treat is a must-try for your festive celebrations, with a vibrant purple, green, and gold sugar topping that adds to the celebratory spirit.
Ingredients
– 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
– 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the yeast mixture, remaining sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the flour mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough to release air bubbles. Roll the dough into a long rope, then shape it into a ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Cover the ring and let it rise for 30 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
9. Bake the King Cake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
10. Remove the cake from the oven and immediately sprinkle the top with the colorful sanding sugar.
11. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
For an extra special touch, you can hide a small plastic baby figurine inside the cake before baking. Tradition has it that the person who finds the baby in their slice is responsible for bringing the King Cake to the next gathering.
- Prep Time: 60
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American