King Cake Recipe
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King Cake

By: ARVILLALAR 
"This a sweet bread that is made during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It has a cream cheese filling and a simple glaze. A tiny plastic baby baked into the bread and will bring good luck to whoever finds it."

Prep Time:
30 Min
Cook Time:
30 Min
Ready In:
2 Hrs 45 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 1 ring shaped loaf
 

Ingredients

  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  •  
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  •  
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon multicolored candy sprinkles

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and white sugar in warm milk. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  2. Stir the egg yolks and melted butter into the milk mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, nutmeg and lemon zest. Beat the flour mixture into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Mix well. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons milk. Mix well and set aside.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out into a 6x30 inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling across the center of the dough. Bring the two long edges together and seal completely. Using your hands shape the dough into a long cylinder and place on a greased baking sheet, seam-side down. Shape the dough into a ring press the baby into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough. Place a well-greased 2 pound metal coffee can the center of the ring to maintain the shape during baking. Cover the ring with a towel and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  5. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove the coffee can and allow the bread to cool. Drizzle cooled cake with lemon/sugar glaze and decorate with candy sprinkles.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 462 | Total Fat: 17.3g | Cholesterol: 128mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 23, 2003 by NATALIEKIM   view full review
This is a wonderful King's Cake. I thought the glaze was a little to lemony, but, when on top...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 14, 2003 by MISSA739   view full review
Very good. I would reduce the amount of liquids in the icing. It was very thin, most of it...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 21, 2006 by lilpacsmom   view full review
Thanks Arvilla for a delicious recipe, I simplified the process by using frozen bread dough,...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 14, 2003 by SCBIANCO   view full review
i have been looking for the cream cheese filling used in nola king cakes this is it thanks
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on May 22, 2008 by 1smartcookie   view full review
According to my tasters, this is the best King Cake outside of New Orleans! Excellent recipe,...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 10, 2003 by awesome in tummy   view full review
I have never had king cake before, so I don't know what to compare this to.The dough is very...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 21, 2011 by Chef Cheapo Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
This was delicious and easy enough to make. My husband doesn't like cakes that are too sweet...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 20, 2006 by JBENDER85   view full review
This got amazing reviews from the Mardi Gras party I made it for. I had not made a cake or...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 27, 2004 by MELBERGER   view full review
The dough is easy to work with and the outcome was great! We tucked in a plastic baby prior...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 2, 2006 by Nissa G Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
A fair amount of work, but the outcome was worth it! Next time, I'll definitely double the...

 

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