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Mardi Gras King Cake

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By Diana Rattray, About.com Guide

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Mardi Gras King Cake, a traditional cake baked with a hidden doll or coin.

Ingredients:

1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water, about 105 to 115 degrees
2 tablespoons milk, scalded and cooled
4 to 5 cups flour
8 ounces butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
2 teaspoons melted butter
very small plastic doll, a large bean, or coin
light corn syrup for topping
granulated sugar colored with food coloring pastes: green, purple, and yellow

Preparation:

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 baking sheet, connecting ends of the rope with a few drops of water to make a good seal.

Press the doll, bean, or coin into the dough from bottom. Cover dough ring with a damp cloth and let rise until double in volume, about 1 hour. Bake at 325° for 35 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Brush top of cake with corn syrup and sprinkle with alternating bands of colored sugar. If desired, freeze cake.