King Cake

INGREDIENTS:  
5  ½ cups flour
¼ cup cold water
6 cold eggs
1 tablespoon salt
6 tablespoon sugar
1 ½ teaspoon yeast
1 ½ cups butter
Filling:
1 Cup Sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Glaze:
1 lb powdered sugar
5 TB milk

STEPS:
All ingredients need to be cold, because the mix time for brioche is quite long.  Flatten the butter with a rolling pin until it is pliable and place it in the refrigerator  until needed.

Place all ingredients except for the butter into the  bowl of an electric mixer.   Begin mixing on first speed just until the ingredients are incorporated.  Turn the mixer to 2nd speed and mix for 5 to 7 minutes, until the dough is well developed.

Add the butter in pieces, while the machine is mixing, until all the butter is incorporated.
Mix for an additional 8-10 minutes.  

Place dough in a bowl, lightly sprayed with oil or pan spray.  Cover dough with plastic wrap, tucking the plastic around the dough.  Let it stand at room temp for an hour.

Fold the dough over on itself and place in the refrigerator for at least four hours.

Divide the dough into three pieces.
Take one of the three portions of dough - Roll the dough into a rectangle about a quarter inch thick.  Brush the dough with egg wash. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Cut the dough into 3 long strips. Braid the 3 strips of dough and attach the ends to form an oval.

Spray with oil or pan spray and cover with plastic wrap.  Let rise in a warm place.  2 hours.

Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden. Let sit until completely cooled.

Put powdered sugar in a small bowl and add milk 1 TB at a time until desired consistency is reached. Glaze should be thick but should drizzle easily off a spoon.

Drizzle with glaze and sprinkle with purple, gold and green sprinkles.

Insert a baby!

Sweet Olive Bakery & Café at the Windmill Market
85 N Bancroft street (one block off Section Street)
downtown Fairhope
www.Windmillmarket.org and www.sweetolive.co
Open 7 Days a Week
Monday through Saturday 7 Am – 5 PM
with extended hours Friday until 9 PM for pizza night
Sunday 11 am – 4 PM

Sweet Olive is selling homemade king cakes between now and Mardi Gras!
Delicious fillings, traditional decorations, and a secret baby waiting inside! Fun for the whole family, we think it will be the best King Cake you’ve ever tried!
Remember to bring one to the office, your kids school, or a neighbor!

About the Guest:
Jennifer Haffner is owner and head baker of Sweet Olive Bakery & Café at the Windmill Market. She has years of experience baking for Baldwin County and opened her own shop in March of last year at the Windmill Market to rave reviews. Come for breakfast, lunch, or Friday Pizza night!