Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

First, order a plastic baby from Amazon to hide in the cake after baking for one lucky guest to find.

Heat milk in a saucepan until just before boiling. Add in 1/4 cup of butter and remove from heat. Wait until mixture has cooled to room temperature.

Stir 1/3 cup warm water, instant yeast, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl. Wait 5-10 minutes until mixture is frothy.

Once yeast mixture is frothy, whisk in the cooled milk mixture. Beat in the eggs, 1/4 cup (less the one tablespoon used earlier) granulated sugar, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. When the eggs are fully incorporated, add the flour 1 cup at a time (up to 2 3/4 cups) until the mixture comes together into a ball.

Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until dough is elastic and bounces back when pressed.

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover in plastic wrap. Place in a warm area and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

To make the filling, combine brown sugar, chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon until incorporated. Pour 1/4 cup melted butter over the mixture and mix until crumbly.

Remove the dough from the bowl and gently roll & stretch it out on a lightly oiled surface until it is a 10 inch by 16 inch rectangle. Be gentle with the dough so that it maintains its light and airy structure.

Using a rubber spatula, gently spread the filling on the dough, leaving about a 1" border around the edges.

Roll the dough firmly over itself with the filling on the inside, like you would a jelly roll or cinnamon rolls.

Once the dough is rolled, bring each end to meet each other to form a circle. Lightly press the dough together so that it stays.

With kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, score the dough, making 1" deep cuts every 2-3" around the cake.

Cover lightly with a towel and let rise in a warm area for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Make an egg wash by mixing 1 large egg with 1 tablespoon of water.

Lightly brush the cake with the egg wash--this will help it to develop a deep golden-brown crust.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Make green, yellow, and purple colored sugar.

Cool the cake slightly on a wire rack. As it is cooling, make the glaze by combining 1 cup confectioner's sugar with 1 tablespoon of water. Pour the glaze over the still-warm cake.

While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle the colored sugar onto it. The classic design is stripes of yellow, green, and purple.

Push the doll or cookie cutter into the bottom of the warm cake. Before eating, be sure that everyone is carefully checking their slices of cake to avoid choking on the doll or cookie cutter. Whoever finds the baby is the King, and they have to bring a King Cake to the next Mardi Gras party.

WATCH: Learn how to make colored sugar for your Mardi Gras King Cake here: