King Cake

King Cake is a regional treat from New Orleans used to celebrate Mardi Gras. These cakes are popular from January 6th to Mardi Gras Day. The cake is named for the three kings (wise men) who traveled to Bethlehem to find the Christ Child. The circular shape of the cake represents their journey. The colors are the traditional Mardi Gras colors, purple=justice, green=faith, and gold=power. There is also supposed to be a plastic baby hidden inside the cake to represent baby Jesus that will bring good luck to whoever finds it, but I could not find one. The cake is really delicious and tastes like a cinnamon roll, but it is very time consuming.

King Cake (Elizabeth's Edible Experience)

• 1/2 CUP Butter
• 2/3 CUP Evaporated Milk
• 3/4 CUP + 1 TSP Sugar
• 1 TBS Ground Cinnamon
• 1 TSP Salt
• 1/2 TSP Lemon Zest
• 2 Envelopes Active Dry Yeast
• 3 Eggs
• 5 CUPS Flour
• 4 TBS Butter, melted
• 1 Egg White

Filling

• 8 OZ Cream Cheese
• 1 CUP Confectioner's Sugar
• 2 TSP Flour
• 1 TSP Vanilla
• A few drops of Milk

Icing

• 3 CUPS Confectioner's Sugar
• 3 TBS Milk
• 1 TSP Vanilla
• Food Coloring or Sprinkles

Melt the butter in a large bowl and add evaporated milk, 3/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and sugar. Whisk together and set aside to cool. In small bowl dissolve the yeast and 1/4 cup lukewarm water and 1 tsp of sugar. Let yeast rise and become foamy for 10 minutes. If it does not rise it is not active and you need to start over with new yeast. Add the yeast to the butter mixture. Add the eggs and lemon zest and whisk together. Whisk in flour one cup at a time, after about 3 cups switch to a wooden spoon. When all the flour is added turn the dough out on a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a large clean greased bowl and cover with a towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for an hour.

To make the filling combine all the ingredients and blend with an electric mixer. Melt the 4 tbs of butter in a small bowl and set aside. Punch the dough down and divide in half. Roll out first half of dough on a floured surface into a 10 x15 inch rectangle. Brush the top of dough with half of the melted butter and then spread on half of the filling. Roll the rectangle up like a jelly roll and seal the ends, use water if necessary. Repeat the process with other half of the dough. Braid the two pieces of dough into one piece, sealing the two ends together. Move onto baking sheet and form into a circle and seal the ends together. Cover the dough with a towel and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl whisk together egg white with 1 tbs water. Brush the top of the cake with egg wash and bake for 35 minutes. When the cake is done it will be golden brown and will sound hollow when tapped. Allow to cool and make the icing. Mix together all the ingredients and add more milk or sugar until you get the desired consistency. Drizzle over the cake and enjoy.