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It's Mardi Gras! Celebrate it right and bake your very own King Cake

 
New Orleans sure does know how to throw a party. Proof: Mardi Gras, which is today! This two-week festival is that magical time of the year that transforms the city into fourteen days packed with color, beads, costumes and some of the most delish culinary delights around. Since Mardi Gras at it's best means indulging in some King Cake (AKA: a yummy, doughy and vibrant confection, flavored with cinnamon and stuffed with a baby...fake, obvi), we're all about bringing the party to our kitchen.
Bonus: Whoever gets the baby (inside of the cake) is King of the Feast—and gets to bake next year's cake. 
Want to get a taste of the revelry? Here’s how to make your own, Nawlins' style.

 

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

• 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)

• 1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)

• 1/3 cup shortening

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 egg

• 4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cans (12-1/2 ounces each) almond cake and pastry filling

Glaze:

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 to 4 tablespoons water

• Purple, green and gold colored sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, shortening, sugar, salt, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). 

2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. 

3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one portion into a 16-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Spread almond filling to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends together to form a ring. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. 

4. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cooled cakes. Sprinkle with colored sugars. Yield: 2 cakes (12 servings each).

Recipe courtesy of: tasteofhome.com

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by Josseline Carbonare | 2/1/2016
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