Serves 12
It’s Mardi Gras time, and with it comes the Fat Tuesday reveling and of course delicious goodies like King Cake!
This Mardi Gras tradition involves baking a small figurine baby into a deliciously moist cake. Whoever is served the slice with the baby receives GOOD LUCK throughout the year to come! Pass the baby over heeerrre please!
Now, if you’re missing out on the tradition because you can’t find a vegan king cake at the bakery, you could probably go rogue and stick a plastic baby into any vegan cake. OR, you could make your own delicious vegan king cake and feel like the grand marshal of the vegan Mardi Gras parade…
Pssst…We’ll choose the latter.
dough
4 Tbsp melted vegan margarine or canola oil
¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp warm non-dairy milk
¼ cup organic sugar
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 packet active dry yeast
2 ½ - 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp sea salt
filling
3 Tbsp melted vegan margarine
½ cup pecans, finely chopped
½ cup organic brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
1 plastic baby figurine or dried bean
prep
Preheat oven to 350°.
dough
In a large bowl, whisk together melted vegan margarine, warm non-dairy milk, organic sugar, cornstarch, pure vanilla extract, and sea salt.
When the mixture is just a little warmer than room temperature, add active dry yeast.
Let the yeast mixture sit for a few minutes until new bubbles form.
Add all-purpose flour to the mixture and knead until a soft dough forms. You may need to add more water or flour to the mixture to adjust the consistency to reach a soft, slightly sticky texture.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl, covered in a warm place to rise for about 45 minutes.
filling
While the dough rises, assemble your filling.
In a small mixing bowl combine vegan margarine, organic brown sugar, cinnamon, and finely chopped pecans.
Set aside.
glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together organic powdered sugar and pure vanilla extract.
Mix in non-dairy milk gradually until you make a thick glaze.
Set aside.
sprinkles
In three small bowls, evenly divide the organic cane sugar.
Add just a couple of drops of vegan food coloring to each and mix well until the desired color is reached.
Set aside.
method
When your Dough has finished rising and doubled in size, roll out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle about ⅛” thick.
Cut the Dough in half lengthwise, then cut each strip into triangles about 3” wide at the base.
Prepare a lightly oiled baking sheet.
Place the Dough triangles in a circle on the baking sheet with the points towards the center, overlapping each and pressing down to seal the edges.
Spread the Filling evenly in the center of the dough triangles, and place the plastic baby or dried bean somewhere within the ring of filling.
Fold the outsides of the triangles in over the filling, then fold the inner points of the triangles over, pressing to adhere.
Cover lightly with a towel, and let rise 20 additional minutes in a warm place.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
notes + serving tips
Let cake rest at room temperature until fully cooled.
Spoon Glaze sparingly over the top of the cooled cake.
While the Glaze is still warm, place the Sprinkles on in alternating green, yellow, and purple stripes.
Once the Glaze dries, serve and enjoy.
CHOKING WARNING: Be careful while eating to avoid choking on the plastic baby figurine. A dried bean can also be hidden in the cake for a kid-friendly version.