king cake

Now, before you say…”What?! Another cake?” Like my husband did, let me explain: it’s not “cake-cake”~it’s more like a breakfast cake. At least, that’s how we’re going to eat it, because…well…we have “cake-cake” already.

And, before you say, “Come on mama… I need a dinner idea!” Let me say,” Me too!” I am going through one of those I don’t-know-what-to-make-for-dinner weeks. Ugh. So, I’m doing the same as you…kinda poking around the Internet for that new “keeper” recipe. I also got a big ol’ stack of cookbooks from the library. AND a book on backyard chickens AND some craft books AND some decorating books. I’m sure the librarian had a few thoughts going through her head with that assortment. Yes, I’m going to make a chicken coop with some rockin’ interior design and the learn hoe to cook my chicken. No, not really…but that’s what I figure went through her head. Maybe. I will just have to ramble to her about how I like to do a lot of stuff and have no self control at libraries because they are free. Sorta. I always seem to owe them money, though. Jeez, I’m rambling. I could really go on and on…but, personally I don’t like to read long stuff on the Internet. Hurts my eyeballs.

So that’s why I tend to break up my sentences. Usually.

In case you wondered about that. See? I care about your eyeballs.

Hey!!! Remember the mirror I broke on my birthday? And my reef tank that crashed?

Well, it turns out… if you break a mirror on your birthday, it’s just 24 hrs of bad luck. Everything is much better now. Well, except for the mirror. That was a goner.

Back to King Cake- a little bit about it, first- it’s a traditional Mardi Gras treat, where a small red bean or a porcelain or plastic doll is hidden inside – whoever gets the piece that has the bead and/or doll is supposed to make the cake the following year. Traditionally the bean or doll is supposed to represent baby Jesus, and King cakes are usually eaten from 12th night through Mardi Gras. So..I think I’m in the clear to eat it. As for the doll- I had the worst time. I found a little rubber doll, but was afraid it may melt in the oven, so I cut a slit in the bottom of the cake after it was baked and placed it in there. I know, I totally cheated.

I also cheated by using a boxed hot roll mix for the dough. You know the one. The one with the cute mascot that goes “Hmmmm-hmmm” when his belly is poked? Yep. That one. 🙂 Why didn’t I make the dough from scratch? Well, the recipe called for waaaay more eggs and butter than I had on hand, and sometimes it’s much easier to not go to the store. Especially with a tired 3 year old.

I later learned that you can make a King Cake with just about any filling. Sweet or savory. Crazy, huh?

Doesn’t my filling look gross? LOL, brown things never look appealing. This brown stuff is rum, raisins, pecans, vanilla brown sugar, cinnamon, and a dash of orange zest. There. It may “look” a little better now.