King Cake (Mardi Gras — New Orleans Tradition)

Ingredients

• 500g bread flour
• 8g instant yeast
• 8g sea salt
• 100g granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 120ml whole milk, warmed
• 120ml heavy cream
• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• 15ml orange flower water
• 50g candied citrus peel, finely minced
• For Glaze
• 200g icing sugar
• 30ml lemon juice
• 50g pearl sugar or coloured sugar crystals

Method

1. 1
   Combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in large mixing bowl; create well and add eggs, milk, and cream; mix until shaggy dough forms.
2. 2
   Knead dough 8 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in mixer until smooth and elastic; incorporate butter in small pieces, then orange flower water and candied peel.
3. 3
   Form into ball; place in oiled bowl, cover, and prove 60 minutes until doubled in volume.
4. 4
   Shape dough into 25cm ring on parchment; cover and prove 45 minutes until puffy.
5. 5
   Bake at 190°C for 25 minutes until deep golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
6. 6
   Whisk icing sugar with lemon juice to create pourable glaze; drizzle over warm cake and sprinkle immediately with pearl sugar.
7. 7
   Cool on wire rack 20 minutes before slicing.