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Mardi Gras: King Cake

Source of Recipe


Emeril Lagasse, from "The Essence of Emeril"






List of Ingredients



• 1/2 cup warm water (105° to 115° F)
  
• 2 packages dry yeast
  
• 2 tsp sugar
  
• 4 to 5 cups flour
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
  
• 2 tsp salt
  
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 1 tsp grated lemon rind
  
• 1/2 cup warm milk (105° to 115° F)
  
• 1/2 cup melted, unsalted butter, cooled
  
• 5 egg yolks
  
• 1/2 cup finely chopped candied citron
  
• 1 King Cake Baby, pecan half, or uncooked dried bean
  
• .
  
• -- Glaze --
  
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
  
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  
• 2 Tbsp water
  
• Purple, green, and gold sugar crystals
  






Instructions



1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
   
   
2. Combine the warm water, yeast, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside in a warm place for about 10 minutes. Combine the 4 cups of flour, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, nutmeg and lemon rind; add warm milk, melted butter, egg yolks, and yeast mixture. Beat until smooth. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Continue kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place the dough in a well-greased bowl. Turn once, so greased surface is on top. Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours.
   
   
3. Punch the dough down and place on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle with the citron and knead until the citron is evenly distributed. Shape the dough into a cylinder, about 30 inches long. Place the cylinder on a buttered baking sheet. Shape into a ring, pinching ends together to seal. Place a well-greased 2-pound coffee can or shortening can in the center of the ring to maintain shape during baking. Press the King Cake Baby, pecan half, or dried bean into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough. Cover the ring with a towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
   
   
4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the coffee can immediately. Allow the cake to cool.
   
   
5. For the glaze, combine the ingredients and beat until smooth. To assemble: drizzle cake with the glaze. Sprinkle with sugar crystals, alternating colors. Cut into the cake, and hope you do not get the baby.
   
   Makes 10 to 12 servings.