King Cake

We decided to go big or go home in terms of dessert for Mardi Gras this year. Last year we picked up a couple of decorated cookies from Wegmans, but I was working, pregnant, and nauseous. This year, with a holiday the day before and daddy home with the fam, A and I decided to tackle the King Cake. Don't be frightened by the number of steps. It's actually really easy. The most difficult part is really the timing, because it needs to rise twice, so you want to make sure you time it in such a way that you can accomplish the entire task without feeling overwhelmed or finding a giant mass of dough in your house because you forgot to check it!

Needless to say, it turned out great. Our table was decorated with hats, masks, gold coins, beads, and a wicked delicious dessert. Note to moms - if you are interested in reading about Mardi Gras with your kids to prepare them for the event (if you choose to celebrate it), try Timothy Hubble and the King Cake Party or Mimi's First Mardi Gras. And be sure to remember where you put the plastic toy baby and "just happen" to serve that slice to the kids!


For the cake:
4 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 packet active dry yeast
1/2 c. warm water
5 1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. plus 2 tbsp. sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
small plastic toy baby

For the filling:
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c. dark brown sugar, packed
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

For the topping:
1 c. confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tbsp. milk
gold, green, and purple colored sugar


For the cake, microwave the butter and milk until the bitter is almost melted, about 1 min. Stire the mixture and then microwave until completely melted, about another 30 seconds. Stir in the vanilla extract and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, in another small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, stir once and then let it rest for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, use a whisk to combine the flour and sugar. Make a well in the middle and add the yeast mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold into the dry ingredients. Add the butter mixture, fold again, and then slowly add the eggs, folding to combine them as well. If you have a stand mixer, attach the dough hook, add the dough, and knead for 3 minutes. If not, transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and stretchy, about 8 minutes. Place the dough in a large, clean, lightly oiled bowl and let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

When the dough has risen, begin the filling. Combine all of the filling ingredients together with a fork until well blended. Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface and roll into a 10 in by 16 in rectangle. Spread the filling over the dough. Roll, jelly roll style, up the dough and punch the seam closed with your fingers. Place the roll on a prepared (with parchment paper or butter) baking sheet (seam down) and shape it to form a circle. Place a ramekin in the middle to prevent it from closing during baking. It gets HUGE. Lightly wet the edges of the ring's ends and pinch them to seal them together. Cover the ring with plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes.

When the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake about 30 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool. After about 5 minutes, insert the toy baby into the top of the cake. Cool for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the icing by whisking together the confectioners' sugar and milk. Ice the cake while it is still slightly warm and sprinkle with alternating green, gold, and purple sugars.

Inspired by Disney Family Fun Magazine