The King Cake Muffuletta is a Marriage of Two New Orleans Classics.
1. Introduction
King cake is a sweet yeasted pastry, traditionally eaten in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season, which begins on January 5th and ends on Ash Wednesday.
King Cake - A Delicacy of New Orleans Tradition
2. Ingredients and Preparation of King Cake
This pastry is made from a combination of flour, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, cinnamon, and yeast, which creates a flaky and rich texture that is reminiscent of a Danish coffee cake. The dough is rolled out into a rectangle, brushed with melted butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and cut into three strips that are then braided together and shaped into a circle. A small plastic baby is then tucked into the underside of the dough, and the pastry is brushed with an egg wash and left to rise before baking.
3. History of King Cake
The history of King cake is deeply rooted in tradition and is tied to the celebration of the Epiphany, which marks the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. In the Roman Empire, the cake was used to determine who would be crowned the “King of Saturnalia,” while in France, it is called “galette des rois,” and a small figurine is baked inside to represent the baby Jesus. Similarly, in Portugal, King cake is known as “Bolo-Rei,” and in Italy, it is called “pannetone.”
4. Conclusion
In New Orleans, King cake has become a beloved tradition that is shared throughout the Mardi Gras season. Each King cake is adorned with traditional Mardi Gras colors, green for faith, purple for justice, and gold for power, and is decorated with colored sugar or sprinkles. The person who finds the plastic baby in their slice is crowned “king of the revelry” and is responsible for bringing the next King cake or hosting the next Mardi Gras party, so here's the recipe from ABC - A Bloggers Chat.
5. King Cake Muffuletta Recipe:
To make King cake, the dough is kneaded in a stand mixer for 8-10 minutes until it separates from the bowl. The dough is then allowed to rise in a buttered bowl until doubled in size, for about one hour. After the dough has risen, it is rolled out into a rectangle, brushed with melted butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, cut into three strips, and braided together. The braided dough is shaped into a circle and left to rise for a second time before being baked in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
The King cake is then left to cool while the glaze is made. The glaze is a mixture of powdered sugar, almond extract, cinnamon, salt, and water, and is used to coat the top of the cake. The glaze is also used to hold the Mardi Gras colored sugar or sprinkles in place. The King cake is a wonderful addition to any Mardi Gras celebration, and its rich history and delicious flavor make it a truly unique and beloved tradition.
