CAKE

Mix dry ingredients in bowl of stand mixer. In a separate bowl, combine hot water, milk and yeast. Let proof for 5 minutes. Add other liquid ingredients and yeast mixture to dry ingredients and mix on medium/high for three minutes. Turn into a greased bowl, covered in plastic and let rise in warm location for 1 to 2 hours or until about doubled in volume. Make filling while dough is rising.

FILLING

Cream granulated sugar and cream cheese together. Add egg, extract and zest and mix well. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon and pecans and mix well again. Cover and refrigerate to firm slightly before baking.

ASSEMBLY

Spray parchment with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop half the dough onto parchment, and using wet or lightly oiled hands, pat the dough into a large rectangle. Leaving 1” borders, lay half the sprinkle on the dough. Spread half the FILLING evenly over the dough, leaving the top 3 inches of dough clear and keeping the other edges clear with a 1 inch border.

Pulling up on the parchment, roll the front edge into itself as tightly as you can and continue rolling dough into a log (like a jelly roll). The dough will be very loose; carefully seal the ends and seam by gently pressing the edges together. If too much filling is pushed out while you are rolling the dough, simply scrape it off carefully with a small rubber spatula. Use the parchment to lift the cake onto a sprayed parchment lined baking sheet.

Gently form into a half circle. Use a small metal bowl or can to help keep a round hole in the center during baking. Repeat with second roll, placing on baking sheet to complete the circle or oval shape, gently pinching ends together. The dough is fragile; if it splits open a little when forming the circle just smooth it back together.

Let rise a second time in warm draft free spot while you preheat the oven to 350°.

Bake at 350° for 40 to 50 minutes. Check after 40 minutes and use a piece of foil if it is getting too brown. Let cool completely before glazing and decorating with sugar sprinkles.

GLAZE

Mix all ingredients, adding more milk if necessary to make a pourable consistency. Pour over the cake set on a rack over waxed paper. Immediately sprinkle colored sugars over glaze in alternating pattern.

Chef's Note: The cake is baked with a bean, or a plastic baby inserted through the bottom of the cake after baking, and whoever gets the piece with the prize is king or queen for the day. Consequently the king or queen is responsible to present a King Cake to everyone the following week or workday (or the following year)!

© Pamela's Products, Inc.