This a sweet bread that is made during Mardi Gras in New Orleans It has a cream cheese filling and a simple glaze A tiny plastic baby baked into the bread and will bring good luck to whoever finds it
Prep Time
1 hr 45 mins
Dificult
Medium
Servings
2 hrs 45 mins
Ingredients
Instructions
In a large bowl
dissolve yeast and white sugar in warm milk. Let stand until creamy
about 10 minutes.
Stir the egg yolks and melted butter into the milk mixture. In a separate bowl
combine the flour
salt
nutmeg and lemon zest. Beat the flour mixture into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together
turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple
about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl
place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume
about 2 hours.
In a small bowl
combine the cream cheese and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Mix well. In another small bowl
combine the remaining 2 cups confectioners' sugar
lemon juice and 2 tablespoons milk. Mix well and set aside.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out into a 6x30 inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling across the center of the dough. Bring the two long edges together and seal completely. Using your hands shape the dough into a long cylinder and place on a greased baking sheet
seam-side down. Shape the dough into a ring press the baby into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough. Place a well-greased 2 pound metal coffee can the center of the ring to maintain the shape during baking. Cover the ring with a towel and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size
about 45 minutes. Meanwhile
preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown
about 30 minutes. Remove the coffee can and allow the bread to cool. Drizzle cooled cake with lemon/sugar glaze and decorate with candy sprinkles.
