King Cake

King Cake is a traditional New Orleans cake served at Mardi Gras parties.

Pastry:

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

1/4 cup white sugar

1 egg-replacer

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Frosting:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons water

Colored Sugar:

Purple, Green & Gold

Directions:

Scald milk in microwave for 2 minutes then add butter and let cool until lukewarm.

In mixing bowl combine warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly. Add lukewarm milk mixture, the egg replacer, salt, nutmeg and remaining sugar to yeast mixture.

Add the flour 1 cup at a time to the wet ingredients.

Once combined kneed with mixer or by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is very elastic.

Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled (approx. 1 hour).

Make the filling by combining the cream cheese, powdered sugar, cinnamon and pecans.

Roll the dough into a rectangle measuring approx. 14x20".

Spread the filling mixture on the dough to within about 1/4" of the sides.

Roll the dough up length-wise and pinch the seam to seal.

Pinch the ends of the roll together to create an oval.

Place the oval on a backing sheet that is greased or lined with parchment paper, cover and let rise in a warm place for approx. 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Bake for 30 mintues.

Forst while the cake is still warm and sprinkle with alternating stripes of purple, green and gold colored sugar.