Over the weekend, I baked two king cakes. It takes between three and a half to four hours from start to finish. A lot of it is waiting. This, for me, is a penance in itself. Decadent pastry and Lenten warm-up all in one! If you needed some visual inspiration for one last gustatory hurrah before Ash Wednesday arrives tomorrow, ushering in Lent, then this is the place to be!
The ingredients, collected and waiting to be combined into caloric, carb-laden bliss.
Ball of dough, kneaded and ready to rise.
Rolled out with the first pass of fillings: cream cheese and buttered brown sugar.
One I crumbled the brown sugar over the cream cheese filling, but this one I smeeeared it all together. Then started to roll it up.
After the dough is rolled up with the tasty filling inside, just shape it like a ring. One ring to rule them all... 'cause it's king cake. Never mind.
Cut into the ring and then wait some more. It will continue to rise and the cuts will make it so pretty!
Into the oven. More waiting...
Making pretty sugar while the cake bakes.
Sweet Mardi Gras colors!
Finally out of the oven! Oh, the glorious smell of hot, fresh king cake!
Confectioners sugar glaze.
Could I have decorated more daintily? Well, yes, but I was tired of waiting!
It was so ridiculously delicious. I kept one and gave one away. My family went through an entire cake in less than 48 hours! A sweet memory to hold our bellies through Lent.
Praying that everyone has a fruitful Lenten season!
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