Chocolate King Cake
Ingredients
King Cake Dough (recipe follows)
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped and divided (2½ cups)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 tablespoons warm whole milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
8 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, divided
⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish: yellow sugar, purple sugar, green sugar
Instructions
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Punch King Cake Dough down. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 17x16-inch rectangle.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine 1⅔ cups chopped chocolate and 2 tablespoons butter. Microwave on medium for 1 minute; stir. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in warm milk and cocoa. Spread in a thin layer over dough.
Starting with one short side, roll up dough, and pinch seams to seal. If you want distinctive chocolate stripes, cut the roll in half and gently twist to make cake.
Gently place on prepared pan, seam side down. Form a ring, and pinch ends together to seal. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°) until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325°.
Uncover cake. Using kitchen scissors, make 7 (¼-inch) deep cuts in top of dough. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes, lightly covering with foil during last 5 minutes of baking to prevent excess browning, if necessary. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Transfer to a serving platter.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine 6 tablespoons cream, remaining chopped chocolate, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Microwave on medium for 1 minute; stir. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Add remaining 2 tablespoons cream if needed. Spread over cake. Sprinkle with colored sugars (I didn't do this! Too pretty without). Let stand until glaze is set.
King Cake Dough
Ingredients
1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
⅓ cup plus ½ teaspoon sugar, divided
⅓ cup warm water (105° to 110°)
½ cup plain sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
3¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed and softened
Instructions
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine yeast, ½ teaspoon sugar, and ⅓ cup warm water. Let stand until mixture is foamy, about 7 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, vanilla, eggs, and egg yolk. Add to yeast mixture. Beat at low speed until combined, about 1 minute.
With mixer off, add flour, salt, and remaining ⅓ cup sugar. Beat at medium- low speed until most of dry ingredients are moistened. Increase mixer speed to medium; beat for 2 minutes. Add butter; beat until combined, about 2 minutes. Scrape out dough onto a lightly floured surface (dough will be sticky), and gently knead 4 or 5 times.
Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let stand in a warm, draft-free place (75°) until doubled in size, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Continue with king cake recipes that follow.
Notes
Tip: To prevent dough from spreading inward, place a ball of foil coated with baking spray with flour in the center of the dough circle before baking.
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