Haydel’s Bakery can crank out as many as 70,000 king cakes during Carnival. Co-owner David Haydel, Jr. takes Scoot behind the scenes of king cake magic.
If you want to give this a try at home, see the official recipe below.
Haydel’s Bakery Official King Cake Recipe
Cream well:
1/3 cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon salt1/2 cup all-purpose shortening
Add and continue creaming:
2 large eggs
Dissolve and add:
1 cup liquid milk (at room temperature)2 packs active dry yeast1 teaspoon flavor ( lemon, orange, vanilla or butter)
Add and mix until smooth:
4 cups all-purpose flour
Knead by hand until dough is smooth and pliable.
Dough temperature out of the mixer should be 80 degrees F.
Allow dough to rest for approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Roll out in an oblong piece. Paint with vegetable oil. Add heavy cinnamon sugar; fold to hold sugar in.
Cut into three strips; plait (braid). Let rest until it can be stretch easily and made into a circle.
All 3/4 proof. (TO DOUBLE IN SIZE)
Mix colored sugar (purple, gold and green) using granulated sugar and paste color. Put on cake just before it goes into oven.
Bake at 370 degrees F for approximately 12 – 15 minutes.
Happy Mardi Gras!
Recipe courtesy of Haydel’s Bakery