Mardi Gras King Cake

Ingredients

Pastry

1 (16-ounce) box Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix

2 tablespoons sugar

1 cup hot water (120 to 130 degrees)

1 large egg

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Filling

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Icing

2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Purple, green and yellow sugar sprinkles

Preparation

Prep Time: 1 hr

Cook Time: 30 mins

Servings: 6 to 8

In a large bowl, combine the mix and yeast packet from the hot roll mix with sugar. Add hot water, egg and butter. Stir until combined and dough starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl.

Turn dough out onto floured surface and form into a ball with floured hands. Knead dough 5 minutes, turning frequently. You may need to add additional flour to keep dough from sticking.

Reshape dough into a ball and cover with a large bowl. Let rest 5 minutes.

While dough rests, make the filling by combining cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Stir until smooth.

Once the dough has rested, flour a large area and roll dough out in a large rectangle about 12 inches by 20 inches.

Sprinkle cinnamon over the dough. Spread cream cheese filling evenly over the dough.

Roll the dough in jelly-roll fashion from the longest side, going across.

Transfer the roll to a greased baking sheet or a baking sheet covered with parchment or a silicone baking mat. Form the roll into an oval. Pinch the seams and ends together. Cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 F.

Once the dough has risen, bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.

Make the icing by combining powdered sugar, melted butter, lemon juice, vanilla and 2 tablespoons milk. Icing should be thick but just pourable. Add more sugar to thicken or additional milk to thin.

Drizzle icing over the top when the king cake cools. Sprinkle with traditional-colored sprinkles.