KINGS CAKE CUPCAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven 350 degrees F. Combine the yeast, sugar, butter, and egg yolks in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the milk. With the mixer on low speed, beat the mixture for about 4 minutes to dissolve the yeast. If the yeast mixture doesn't begin to foam after a few minutes, it means it's not active and will have to be replaced. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, nutmeg, and lemon zest. Add this mixture to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until it lightly comes together, then increase the speed to medium and beat until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl, forms a ball, and climbs slightly up the dough hook. Remove the dough from the bowl. Coat the dough with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl and turn it to oil all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, set in a warm, draft-free place, and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Mix well. In another small bowl, combine the remaining powdered sugar, lemon juice and milk. Mix well and set aside. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out 30 inches long and 6 inches in diameter. Spread the cream cheese filling across the center of the dough. Bring the two long edges together and seal all sides completely. Using your hands shape the dough into a long cylinder and place on a greased baking sheet, seam side down. Shape the dough into a ring. Place a well-greased 2 pound coffee can or shortening can in the center of the ring to maintain the shape during baking. Press the plastic baby toy into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough. Cover the ring with a towel and place in a warm, draft free place. Let the dough rise for about 45 minutes or until the dough doubles in size. With a sharp knife, make several slits around the top of the ring. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. After baking remove the coffee can immediately. Allow the cake to cool. Drizzle the cake with the sugar glaze. Sprinkle the cake with sprinkles, alternating colors. Cut the cake into individual pieces and serve.

Steps:

• Oil spray a bundt pan, cake pan, or springform pan with an insert and set that aside.
• The baking temperature for preheating will be at 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl using an industrial mixer, add the yeast and 2 1/2 cups of flour, mix this together.
• Heat the milk, sugar, and salt to a warm touch around 120 degrees(do not boil or make it hotter it will kill the yeast)
• Add the liquid to the flour mixture for around 4 minutes using the paddle attachment then add the eggs one at a time.
• Next, on low speed, add the butter and the last cup of flour until a soft dough forms and is evenly mixed together for around 6 to 8 minutes.
• Knead the dough by hand on a floured board until smooth around 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place dough into a greased bowl. Turn once so greased surface is on top.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Make the filling by combining all the ingredients listed while the dough is chilling then set aside.
• Cut the dough into 3 even pieces.
• On a floured board, (for making a braid) roll each piece into a long rectangular shape.
• Spread some filling on the dough, roll up like a jelly roll and do the same to the next two doughs.
• Place all three on the floured board side by side.
• Pinch together at the top and braid the three pieces.
• Then make a circle with them pinching the end together.
• I place this in the prepared pan and cover it with plastic wrap for
• at least 1 - 1/2 hours.
• Note: if using the insert for the springform pan make sure you sprayed the sides of the springform pan.
• Bake the King Cake for around 25 t o30 minutes until lightly browned on top.
• Cool completely.
• Glaze and while it's wet sprinkle the colors alternating around the ring for a festive Mardi Gras colorful garnish.