King Cake
Ingredients:
- 16oz sour cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 envelopes of active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 6-6 ½ cups bread flour*
- 1/3 cup softened butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Glaze
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 2-4 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Cook sour cream, 1st part of sugar, butter and salt in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until butter melts. Set aside, and cool mixture to 100° to 110°.
- Stir together yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a 1-cup glass measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.
- Beat sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, eggs, and 2 cups flour at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until smooth. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add enough remaining flour (4 to 4 1/2 cups) until a soft dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease top.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until dough is doubled in bulk.
- Punch down dough, and divide in half. Roll each portion into a 22- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread 1/3 cup softened butter evenly on each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Stir together 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over butter on each rectangle.
- Roll up each dough rectangle, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side. Place one dough roll, seam side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bring ends of roll together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal. Repeat with second dough roll.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 20 to 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
- Bake at 375° for 14 to 16 minutes or until golden. Slightly cool cakes on pans on wire racks (about 10 minutes). Drizzle Creamy Glaze evenly over warm cakes; sprinkle with colored sugars, alternating colors and forming bands. Let cool completely.
- Cream Cheese-Filled King Cake: Prepare each 22- x 12-inch dough rectangle as directed. Omit 1/3 cup softened butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Increase 1/2 cup sugar to 3/4 cup sugar. Beat 3/4 cup sugar; 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened; 1 large egg; and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on each dough rectangle, leaving 1-inch borders. Proceed with recipe as directed
*6 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour may be substituted.
Glaze Instructions:
- Stir together powdered sugar, butter, lemon juice, and vanilla
- Stir in 2 tbsp milk, adding more if necessary until you reach a spreading consistency
About the Contributor
Caroline Sillars, Sports Photography Coordinator
I am a sophomore at Newman and have been here since Pre-K. I am a cheerleader and I have been on the gymnastics team for six years. I am a Leo and my favorite...