Mardi Gras King Cake

Ingredients

Dough

• 1/4 oz yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)


• 1/2 cup warm water


• 1/2 cup scalded milk (scalded milk is milk that has been heated to 180 degrees.)


• 1/4 cup sugar


• 1/3 cup butter, melted


• 1 tsp salt


• 1 large egg


• 3 and 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature


• 3/4 cup granulated sugar


• 2 Tablespoon ground cinnamon


• 3 oz cream cheese, at room temperature


• 1 egg


• 1/4 cup sugar


• pinch of salt

Glaze

• 3 oz cream cheese, at room temperature


• 1/2 c powdered sugar (aka confectioners' sugar)


• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract (regular extract will work, but may tint your glaze slightly)


• 3 to 4 Tablespoons whole milk (half & half may be substituted for whole milk)


• green, gold and purple sugar




• plastic baby (optional)

Instructions

• Dissolve yeast in warm water; set aside.


• In a large bowl of mixer with dough hook attachment, mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg. Add 2 c flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture alternating with remaining flour. Mix until smooth.


• Pour dough onto a floured flat surface and knead 5 minutes. Place in a oiled bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size (about 2 - 2 1/2 hours).


• When doubled in size, punch down dough. Roll or press out dough with fingers until approximately 15 x 9 inch rectangle.


• Spread room temperature butter all over dough. Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over butter.


• Mix 3 oz cream cheese, egg, sugar and salt until smooth.


• Pour cream cheese mixture down center of dough on 1/2 of the dough only. It'll spread as you're rolling.


• **Add plasic baby if desired.


• Beginning on long, 15 inch, side roll up. Pinch dough at seam and ends to seal. Shape dough into an oval place on parchment paper on a cookie sheet to rise for 45 to 75 minutes.


• Meanwhile, add cream cheese, powdered (confectioner) sugar, vanilla and milk to a bowl, cream with mixer on low. Mix until smooth.


• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake 27 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool before frosting. Drizzle cream cheese glaze over king cake. Decorate with colored sugars.