King Cake (Food Network Kitchens) |
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Prep Time: 45 Minutes Cook Time: 40 Minutes |
Ready In: 85 Minutes Servings: 12 |
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Ingredients:
1/3 cup milk |
1 package active dry yeast |
2 1/2 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting |
2 large egg yolks, plus 2 eggs |
3 tablespoons granulated sugar |
finely grated zest of 1 lemon |
1 teaspoon salt |
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg |
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for greasing the bowl |
1/2 cup golden raisins |
1/4 cup bourbon |
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar |
2/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
2 teaspoons grated orange zest |
1/4 teaspoon salt |
1 dry bean or plastic king cake baby (available at party-supply stores or mardigrasday.com) |
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar |
purple, green and gold sanding sugar, for decorating |
Directions:
1. Make the cake: Heat the milk in a saucepan until scalding; transfer to a food processor, add the yeast and pulse to combine. Add 1/2 cup flour and the egg yolks; process to combine. Pour the remaining 2 cups flour evenly over the yeast mixture; do not process. Put the lid on; set aside for 90 minutes.
2. Add the 2 whole eggs, granulated sugar, lemon zest, salt and nutmeg to the food processor; process to make a slightly textured dough, about 1 minute. With the machine running, slowly add the butter to make a smooth, sticky dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place for 3 hours. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead briefly; form into a ball and return to the bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
3. Make the filling: Plump the raisins in the bourbon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and add the brown sugar, pecans, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, salt and the bean or plastic baby; mix until combined and set aside.
4. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 20-by-7-inch rectangle, with the long edge facing you. Spoon the filling in an even layer over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along the top and bottom. Fold the bottom and then the top edge over the filling to make a tight roll; pinch to seal. Transfer the roll seam-side down to a parchment-lined baking sheet; tuck one end into the other to form a ring. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until the roll doubles in size, about 2 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the cake until firm and golden brown, about 40 minutes. Cool on a rack.
6. Make the glaze: Mix 3 tablespoons water with the confectioners' sugar; brush 3 tablespoons glaze over the cake. Sprinkle with bands of colored sugar; drizzle with more glaze.
7. Photograph by Lara Robby/Studio D
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