King cake may seem intimidating, once you let the yeast dough rise, the good times roll together quickly. Similar to coffee cake, king cake is as abundant in custom and history as it is in color and taste. Hallmark designs– sanding sugars in the royal colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power)– honor the 3 kings who went to the Christ kid on Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas. Understood as King’s Day, Mardi Gras marks the start of merrymaking that continues until the grand finale on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
While it’s made in the traditional ring shape, this classic king cake recipe does not require braiding or filling. It’s topped with a simple powdered sugar, lemon juice, and water glaze, and sprayed with sanding sugar as you ‘d generally see on the streets of New Orleans.
Instead of hiding a plastic baby inside, you can use a pecan half or a dried bean for a natural alternative. Per custom, if you end up with the pecan (or baby) you get to be in charge of bringing the King Cake to the next Mardi Gras celebration.
Find out how to make a king cake in the house, and bring the party to your house this year.
Active ingredients
Cake:
1/2 cup warm water (105 ° F to
115 ° F). 2( 1/4-oz.) bundle active dry yeast.
1/2 cup plus 2 tsp. granulated sugar, divided.
2 tsp. table salt.
1 tsp. ground nutmeg.
1 tsp. lemon zest (from 1 lemon).
4 – 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface.
4 large egg yolks.
1/2 cup warm milk (105 ° F to 115 ° F).
1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter, melted.
Cooking spray.
1/2 cup carefully chopped candied citron (optional).
Unsalted butter, for baking sheet.
1 pecan half or raw dried bean.
Glaze:.
2 cups powdered sugar, sorted.
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon).
2 Tbsp. water.
Additional Ingredient:.
Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.