Traditional since the late 1800s, King Cake is a sweetened, ring-shaped bread decorated in green, yellow, and purple (the official colors of Mardi Gras). Hidden inside the seasonal cake is a coveted prize in the form of a small figure of a baby. Once made of gold, but more commonly plastic these days, the reveler who finds the trinket in the cake will enjoy good luck in the year to come and share their good fortune by providing a king cake at the next Mardi Gras party. .
Whether you found the baby in the cake last year or are starting a new tradition, this recipe for an easy king cake will set the tone in sweet style at any Mardi Gras celebration. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Despite its name, King Cake is actually a leavened bread. Combine 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of yeast in a stand mixer bowl. Although most yeasts are stable, it is easy to see that the yeast is active as it slowly begins to bubble up into the milk.
Add 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup dry milk, 4-1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 2 eggs to the mixing and dough bowl fitted with a dough hook. paste until smooth and pliable. dough forms.
Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, cover and let rise for 60 minutes until puffed and nearly doubled in size.
For the filling, combine two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
Pierce dough on a lightly oiled surface and roll into a rectangle about 24" x 7". Spread the filling over the dough from one end to the other, leaving about an inch of space along each long edge.
Fold the dough in half lengthwise and press along the edge to seal.
With the seam pinched down, form a ring with the dough and pinch the ends together. Place on a greased baking sheet and let stand 90 minutes.
Lightly beat 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash and brush over the surface of the cake. Washing the egg will give the bread a rich brown sheen and is an easy way to make any bread prettier.
En un horno a 350 grados, hornear 50 minutos. Si se está dorando demasiado rápido, cargue con papel de aluminio durante los últimos 15 minutos. Retire del horno, deje reposar por 5 minutos, luego transfiera a una rejilla para terminar de enfriar.
Una vez que el pastel se haya enfriado completamente, voltéelo y presione el bebé de plástico o porcelana en el pastel. Tradicionalmente, el bebé se hornea en la torta, pero debido a las preocupaciones sobre el calentamiento de los plásticos y el posible riesgo de asfixia de un objeto extraño en los alimentos, colocar al bebé debajo de la torta después de hornear se ha convertido en una solución común.
Para la formación de hielo, combine 3 tazas de azúcar en polvo, 2 cucharaditas de extracto de vainilla y más de 3 cucharadas de leche y batir hasta que quede suave. Extender sobre la parte superior de la torta.
Antes de que se endurezca la formación de hielo, espolvoree azúcares verdes, morados y dorados para completar el pastel..
Hágales saber a sus invitados que estén atentos al bebé en el pastel. Se dice que quien encuentre que encuentra buena fortuna en los próximos días, también se espera que proporcione el pastel del rey en la próxima fiesta. Asegúrate de compartir esta receta con ellos.!
