King Cake Recipe
"This king cake recipe is based on the original variation of the sweet, yeast-risen cake filled with cream cheese custard typically served at Mardi Gras celebrations. The colorful cake is always sprinkled with yellow (or gold, symbolizing power), green (faith), and purple (justice) sugar or frosting. Whoever gets the baby or bean in their piece of cake gets to be king or queen for a day. As with many fun rituals, there is a slight downside: the newly crowned monarch must furnish a king cake for everyone either the next workday or the next week, depending on the traditions of that particular group...."
INGREDIENTS
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Cake:
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3/4 cup milk, warmed to 100F
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2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
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1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
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2 whole eggs
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1 egg yolk (reserve the white for egg wash)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/3 cup granulated sugar
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1/4 cup instant dry milk powder
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon lemon zest
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1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
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Filling:
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8 ounces cream cheese softened
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1 egg
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1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
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1 plastic baby figurine or dried bean (optional)
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Frosting:
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2 cups confectioners’ sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 tablespoons milk
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Yellow, green, and purple dusting sugar
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