Name: King Cake
Prep time: 210 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 235 min
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: 1 package active dry yeast (¼-ounce/7 grams/2¼ teaspoons); 1 cake fresh yeast ((0.6-ounce/18 grams); or 2 teaspoons instant yeast); 1/4 cup warm water ((105 to 115°F for dry yeast; 80 to 85°F for fresh yeast)); 1/2 cup warm milk ((105 to 115°F for dry yeast; 80 to 85°F for fresh yeast) or sour cream); 1/4 cup granulated sugar ((1.75 ounces/50 grams)); 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened ((½ stick/2 ounces/57 grams)); 2 large egg yolks or 1 large egg; 3/4 tsp table salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon or cardamom ((optional)); 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg ((optional)); 1/8 tsp almond extract ((optional)); 1 tsp grated lemon zest ((optional)); 2 tsp grated orange zest or orange blossom water ((optional)); 2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour ((9.5 ounces/275 grams)); 1/4-1/2 cup chopped candied citron, ½ cup chopped mixed candied fruit, or ½ cup golden raisins ((5 ounces/140 grams)); Egg wash (1 large egg beaten with 1 teaspoon milk or water); 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar ((3.75 ounces/105 grams)); 1/4 cup all-purpose flour ((1.25 ounces/35 grams)); 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; Pinch salt; 2/3 cup chopped slightly toasted pecans (2.5 ounces/70 grams), or 1/3 cup pecans (1.25 ounces/35 grams) and ¼ cup raisins ((1.25 ounces/35 grams)); 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted ((½ stick/2 ounces/57 grams)); 1 pecan half, large bean, or other token (optional); 1 cup confectioners' sugar ((4 ounces/115 grams)); 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (¼ stick/1 ounce/28 grams) ((or ¼ cup cream cheese, softened (2 ounces/57 grams) (optional))); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or ¼ teaspoon almond extract; 1 tbsp milk, buttermilk, fresh lemon juice, or water; a few drops gold food coloring or 2 to 4 tablespoons yellow colored sugar (optional); a few drops green food coloring or 2 to 4 tablespoons green colored sugar (optional); a few drops purple food coloring or 2 to 4 tablespoons purple colored sugar (optional)