Mardi Gras King Cake
Posted by: Karen: Sun, 22 Feb 2004, at 6:22 a.m.
 

1 package Yeast
1/4 cup Warm water
6 teaspoons Milk -- scalded and cooled
4 cups Flour (to 5 cups)
1/2 pound Butter
3/4 cup Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
4 Eggs
2 teaspoons Melted butter
Small plastic doll (or bean)
Light corn syrup for topping
Granulated sugar for topping - green, yellow, purple

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk and about 1/2 cup of flour. In a large bowl, blend butter, sugar, salt and eggs. Add yeast mixture and mix thoroughly.

Gradually, add 2 1/2 cups flour to make a medium dough. Place in a greased bowl and brush with melted butter. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until double in volume, about 3 hours.

Use 1 cup or more flour to knead dough and roll into a 4 to 5 foot long rope. Form into a oval on a 14 x 17" greased cookie sheet, connecting ends of the rope with a few drops of water.

Press the doll (or bean) into the dough from underneath. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double in volume, about 1 hour.

Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush top of cake with corn syrup and sprinkle with alternating bands of colored sugar. Cake freezes well.