Mardi Gras King Cake

I got the bean! If you have ever celebrated Mardi Gras, I'm sure you've had a King Cake, a delectable danish type pastry. King Cakes were first brought to the South by French settlers in the great state of Louisiana. The braided circle represents the long, arduous journey the Three Wise Men took to give their presents to the baby Jesus. We call this Epiphany, or Twelfth Night. The braided, circular shape imitates the mixed up, windy paths the Wise Men took to reach the new born Lord to escape the eyes of King Herod.  Traditionally, a plastic baby or fava bean is placed in the cake. Whoever receives the slice with the baby in it becomes king for the night and brings the cake to the next party! 

I have definitely taken some liberties while interpreting my Grandma's recipe. No eggs, butter, or milk for this girl! I also used pistachios instead of pecans, mostly cause they're my favorite, and I always have some on hand. I also could not find a little plastic baby Jesus anywhere, and figured someone could maybe choke on a fava bean, so I had to get a little creative.

Like the Three Wise Men, he comes in peace.

I love this recipe because it employs the use of one of my favorite ingredients, almond extract. It just has the greatest smell, and lends the dough such unique, "can't quite put my finger on it, but damn is it good" kinda flavor.

This is great work to do on a lazy morning. The smell of yeasty, cinnamon dough creeping through the house, combined with the calming effect of kneading is just sublime.

Braiding the dough is so fun! This would be great for a little pair of hands to help you with.

Little tip: place a jar in the center of your braided ring while waiting for it to rise the second go around. It helps keep the round shape, and a distinct middle.

You can go as crazy with decorating as you want. I kept it pretty simple, cause I enjoy a pretty minimalist approach. Make sure to use the colors of Mardi Gras though: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Mardi Gras King Cake

Author: The Porkless Peg Serves: 

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CAKE

• 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 packages instant yeast
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup Earth Balance
• 3 tsp Energy Egg Replacer
• 1 tsp almond extract

FOR THE FILLING

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup melted Earth Balance
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• dash of nutmeg
• 1/2 cup of either pistachios, pecans, or walnuts
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour

FOR THE ICING

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp of water
• dash of almond extract
• Sprinkles in yellow, green, and purple

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small sauce pan, scald the milk and butter and set aside to cool
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yeast, warm water, and a tablespoon of your sugar
3. Once your yeast mixture is bubbly, add in your cooled milk mixture and whisk in your egg replacement
4. Add in remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, and almond extract
5. A cup at a time, mix in your flour. Fold together with a wooden spoon until a loose dough forms. You may find that you don't need all 5 1/2 cups of flour.
6. Turn dough out onto floured surface, and kneed til smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
7. Place in a lightly oiled mixing bowl, tossing to cover the dough ball with oil all over
8. Cover with a slightly damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap, place in a warm spot, and let rise til it has doubled in size, about two hours
9. While dough is rising, comine melted butter, sugar, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour for your filling mixture and set aside.
10. Once dough has risen, punch down and cut into three equal pieces.
11. Roll pieces into equal rectangle sizes, about twelve inches long
12. Spoon equal amounts of filling mixture onto each rectangle and spread, leaving about a centimeter border
13. Roll rectangles up like jelly rolls and pinch edges closed
14. Braid the three pieces together, then form them into a circle, pinching together
15. Let rise for another 45 minutes
16. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes
17. While cake is cooling, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and water for your icing.
18. While cake is still slightly warm, push your baby Jesus or bean into it from the bottom
19. Once cake has cooled completely, drizzle icing over it and decorate with sprinkles.