A symbol of celebration and indulgence, the traditional king cake is a beloved Mardi Gras centerpiece. With its signature cinnamon-swirled dough and sticky-sweet icing, this sweet treat carries centuries of history and meaning. Traditional King Cake Resources. Hoping to try your hand at Louisiana's sweetest Mardi Gras tradition? Bake both rings in the preheated oven in the upper and lower thirds until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, or when a thermometer inserted into the center of the dough reads 190 F, about 25 minutes, rotating sheet trays 180 degrees and top to bottom, halfway through baking to ensure even browning. King cake is a traditional dessert served for Mardi Gras, particularly in Louisiana and other Southern states. It is said to have originated in France and Spain, and was brought over to the New World, where the tradition continued to evolve. In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup warm water, yeast, and 2 teaspoons sugar; let stand for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, stir together 4½ cups flour, remaining ½ cup sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest. These Mardi Gras king cakes make their appearance at the beginning of Carnival Season which starts officially on the eve of January 5th, or Twelfth Night. As soon as you walk into the local market you are hit with huge displays of these lovely sugary concoctions, in all manner of fillings for every appetite. Whisk the reserved egg white with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash), and brush it over the risen cake. Bake the cake for 20 minutes, then tent it lightly with aluminum foil. Bake it for an additional 30 minutes, until it's a rich golden brown. Remove the cake from the oven. After about 15 minutes, transfer it from the baking sheet to a rack to cool. Remove cake from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. If desired, you can "hide" the plastic baby in the cake. The one who finds the baby in the piece of the cake is responsible for bringing the King Cake to the next Mardi Gras party. Step 11. Directions for Colored sugars: Step 12. Squeeze a dot of green paste in palm of hand. King Cake History. Louisiana-style king cake is usually decorated in the colors associated with Mardi Gras. Green, gold, and purple represent faith, power, and justice. It’s served from Epiphany in January throughout the Carnival season. Which, all ends on Fat Tuesday in late February. Along with bragging rights, king-cake royalty means you’re in charge of buying or making the cake for the next year’s Fat Tuesday celebration. The tradition of hiding objects in the cake dates back to the 19th century, when king cake had become a staple dessert at Mardi Gras celebrations, including the annual balls in New Orleans. In a small bowl, combine milk and yeast, and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine milk mixture, butter, eggs, egg yolk, and cane syrup; mix at low speed until combined. To give your King Cake more of a defined shape, bake it in a Bundt pan. Assemble the cake as written through shaping (step 6). Lightly grease a 10- or 12-cup Bundt pan. Gently pick up the shaped log of dough and place it in the Bundt pan seam side-up so you can see it (the bottom becomes the top of the cake in the pan). Of the hundreds of Louisiana festivals, none tops Mardi Gras. Spectacular parades, unbelievable costumes, music, dancing, food, drink — take your pick of places to indulge and enjoy. The biggest celebration occurs in New Orleans , but nearly every community in the state has its own version of the annual party. Top 10 Best Mardi Gras King Cake in Gonzales, LA 70737 - February 2025 - Yelp - Navarre's Famous King Cakes, The Ambrosia Bakery, Haydel's Bakery, Ideal Market, Oak Point Fresh Market, Don’s Seafood - Gonzales, Les Amis Bake Shoppe, Gambino's Bakery, Meche's Donut King, Joe Gambino's Bakery Mardi Gras day, AKA Fat Tuesday, is Feb. 21 this year. But that’s just the culmination of the Carnival season -- and king cake-eating season -- that started Jan. 6 . This is a running list. Step 1 For the dough: In a medium bowl, stir together the yeast, water, and 2 teaspoons of the sugar. Let the mixture stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Step 2 In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the yeast mixture, milk, butter, eggs, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup of the sugar. A plastic King Cake baby Assorted sugar or sprinkles in Mardi Gras colors: purple, green, and gold. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 inch round pan. Blend the cake mix, egg, cinnamon and butter in a mixing bowl. Press the crumbly mixture on the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Spread the Ooey Gooey Filling over the crumb mixture in the pan. Step #6: Second Dough Rise – Move the roll to a parchment-lined baking sheet, bring the ends together to form an oval and pinch the ends together.Cover the dough with oiled plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes. King cake is a traditional dessert served for Mardi Gras, particularly in Louisiana and other Southern states. It is said to have originated in France and Spain, and was brought over to the New World, where the tradition continued to evolve. So, what is a King Cake? Started roughly 300 years ago as a dry French bread–type dough with sugar on top and a bean hidden inside to symbolize baby Jesus, the King Cake is now the most iconic symbol of Mardi Gras! Hundreds of thousands of king cakes are eaten in New Orleans and around the world during the Carnival season and beyond. 1/2 cup warm water (110ºF) 2 packages dry active yeast; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1/2 cup sugar; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 5 egg yolks; 1 cup warm milk (110˚F)
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