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Desserts -
Traditional King Cake
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| INGREDIENTS |
- A Mardi Gras tradition, the King Cake is baked in honor of the three kings who came to see baby Jesus. A symbolic plastic baby doll is hidden in each cake, and custom holds that the person who finds the baby in their slice will be rewarded with good luck. That person is also responsible for bringing the King Cake to the next gathering.
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1 (16-ounce) container sour cream
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1/3 cup sugar
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1/4 cup butter
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
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1/2 cup warm water
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1 tablespoon sugar
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2 large eggs, lightly beaten
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6 to 61/2 cups bread flour
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3/4 cup sugar
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1/3 cup butter, softened
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1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
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1/2 cup sugar
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
Cook first four ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until butter melts. Set aside. Cool to 100° to 110°.
Stir together yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a 1-cup glass measuring cup; let stand five minutes.
Beat sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, eggs, and 2 cups flour at medium speed with mixer until smooth. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let dough rise in a warm place, free from drafts, for one hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch down dough and divide in half. Roll each portion into a 22-x-12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter on each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Mix cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar together and sprinkle on butter.
Roll up each rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at long side. Place one roll, seam side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bring ends together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal. Repeat with other roll. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled.
Bake at 375º for about 15 minutes or until golden. Slightly cool cakes in pan on wire racks (about 10 minutes). Once the cake has cooled, randomly insert a small plastic baby doll before glazing.
Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 to 6 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup sugar
Green, yellow, and purple (1 drop red, 1 drop blue) food coloring
Stir together powdered sugar, butter, and milk until of drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cake. Divide sugar in thirds and use food coloring to dye each portion. Sprinkle glaze in alternating bands of colored sugar. Cool completely before serving. |
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