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Mardi Gras King Cake

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Celebrate Mardi Gras with this traditional King Cake, featuring a soft, cinnamon-spiced brioche dough topped with vibrant purple, green, and gold sugar. Perfect for sharing during the festive season.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (filling)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • Colored sanding sugars in purple, green, and gold
  • Optional: plastic baby figurine

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, 1 tbsp sugar, and yeast. Let it activate for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs with remaining sugar, softened butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. Add the activated yeast mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  5. Knead dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  6. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  7. Punch down the dough and roll it out into a large rectangle.
  8. Brush the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon.
  9. Roll the dough tightly into a log, then form it into a ring shape, sealing the ends.
  10. Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optional: place a small plastic baby figurine inside the dough ring at this stage or after baking.
  11. Cover and let the shaped dough rise for another 30-45 minutes.
  12. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  13. Brush the egg wash over the dough ring.
  14. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  15. Let the cake cool completely before drizzling icing and decorating with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars.

Notes

For a festive touch, hide a small plastic baby inside the cake. Traditionally, the person who finds the baby must host next year’s celebration or provide the next King Cake.

Find it online: https://delilita.com/mardi-gras-king-cake-delicious-traditional/