The Perfect King Cake: The King of Christmas Dinners That Will Steal the Show!

 The Perfect King Cake: The King of Christmas Dinners That Will Steal the Show!

Yield: 1 large cake (12-15 slices)

Preparation time: 30 min + 2h fermentation + 35 min baking time

Difficulty: (medium, but worth every second)

Ingredients

Dough

500 g all-purpose flour (preferably T65 or regular)

100 g sugar

10 g salt

20 g fresh yeast (or 7 g dry yeast)

150 ml warm milk

3 medium eggs

100 g softened butter

Zest of 1 orange + 1 lemon

50 ml Port wine (or rum, if preferred)

Candied & Dried Fruits

200 g mixed candied fruits (orange, citron, cherry)

100 g raisins

100 g chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts)

Decoration

Whole candied fruits (cherries, Orange)

Confectioner's sugar for dusting

1 fava bean + 1 trinket (Portuguese tradition!)

Step by Step

(with master tricks)

Activate the yeast

Dissolve the yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes until it foams.

Mix the base

In a mixer (or by hand, if you're brave!): Flour + sugar + salt → mix.

Add eggs, citrus zest, port wine and the activated yeast.

Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes.

The magic of butter

Gradually add the butter, beating until the dough is smooth, elastic and shiny (about 8-10 minutes). It should come away from the bowl.

Time for the fruit

Incorporate the candied and dried fruits by hand, gently. The dough will be heavy — that's normal!

First fermentation:

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour and 30 minutes (or until doubled in volume).

Shape the king:

Make a hole in the center of the dough (like a giant donut).

Hide the bean and the prize in different places.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Decorate with whole fruits.

Fermentation:

Let rise for another 30 minutes.

Oven & finishing:

Bake at 180°C for 30-35 minutes (until golden brown).

Remove, brush with glaze (or diluted honey) and sprinkle with powdered sugar like snow!

Golden Tips:

Want it fluffier? Use strong flour or add 1 tablespoon of powdered milk.

No port wine? Substitute with orange juice + 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Freeze? Yes! Wrap well in plastic wrap. Thaws in 3 hours at room temperature.

Serve with hot chocolate or sparkling wine and crown whoever finds the bean as King/Queen of the night!