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. 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. It is topped with a powdered sugar glaze and sanding sugar alternating in purple, green, and gold colors (the traditional colors of Mardi Gras). The dough is very soft and easy to work with, and the resulting cake is soft, tender, flavorful, and packed with a cinnamon-sugar filling. Recipe Ingredients for King Cake. 1 cup lukewarm milk, about 110 degrees . 1/2 cup granulated sugar. 2 tablespoons dry yeast. 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Whoever found the bean or trinket in their slice of cake would be crowned the king or queen of the balls leading up to the lavish finale on Mardi Gras. In the 1940s, babies became a staple in the cakes when bakery owner Donald Entringer began placing porcelain varieties in the cakes until plastic ones became more widely available. 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. New Orleans King Cake. The tradition of the King Cake came to New Orleans with the French settlers. In France, it is traditional to serve a “Galette des Rois” or “Gateau Des Rois” (King Cake) on January 6, the Epiphany (like the Spanish Three Kings Bread). 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. 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 is a staple, especially on Twelfth Night or Epiphany (January 6th), the first day of Mardi Gras season. Tradition holds that whoever finds the hidden baby in the king cake, which is really an enriched bread, is responsible for providing next year’s king cake party. And wait till you hear the ingredient list: 4,000 pounds of Danish flour, 286 pounds of yeast, 428 dozen eggs, 1,178 pounds of water, 8.925 gallons of flavoring, 2,087 pounds of icing, 331 pounds The traditional Mardi Gras King Cake recipe has a soft, yeasted dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and a sweet cinnamon almond glaze. Festooned with green, purple, and gold Mardi Gras colored sprinkles, this uniquely New Orleans confection is excellent for breakfast or brunch with a cup of strong, hot chicory coffee or café au lait. Turn out onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Each box comes with a printed history of King Cakes and Mardi Gras and a couple of authentic doubloons. They even ship with a calendar of important Mardi Gras dates until 2025 and a pamphlet on Traditionally, the “baby” was actually a small dried bean or a pecan, which would get baked right into the cake. Finding the bean in your slice of cake means that you got to be king or queen for the day and are also responsible for bringing the next cake to keep the party going. Enjoy this delicious homemade Mardi Gras King Cake this year and let the good times roll! Made with a sweet brioche dough and a cinnamon or cream cheese filling, this is the best king cake recipe and 1,000x better than anything you’ll find in a grocery store or bakery! My Easy King Cake Versus the New Orleans Version . In New Orleans today, iterations of king cake appear in all sorts of innovative forms: cupcakes, macarons, and even ice cream. The standard version is a ring-shaped yeasted cake decked out in the festive trinity of Mardi Gras colors of yellow, green, and purple. Our longtime contributor Irvin One of the most recognizable Mardi Gras sweets, the traditional king cake is seen in most New Orleanian homes throughout Carnival Season. This traditional king cake is topped with glaze and colored sugars. Make sure to bake one before heading out to the Krewe of Rex parade on Mardi Gras Day. And, you still get to enjoy the fun colors of Mardi Gras without the mess of dishes brought on by a stand mixer and all that comes along with that. This delicious recipe provides all the Mardi Gras flavors in a Bundt pan with the fun traditional colors of Mardi Gras! It’s perfect for a festive breakfast and great for a quick and delicious The cake is then topped with a sweet glaze and decorated with purple, green, and gold icing, which are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras. The Chantilly King Cake is a unique and delicious twist on the traditional king cake, which is typically filled with cinnamon or cream cheese.
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