MARDI GRAS- Legend has it that if you hide a tiny plastic baby in this classic cinnamon-swirl cake, whoever finds it has 1 year of good luck! (Just don't bake the plastic baby in the cake-after the cake has been baked and cooled,cut a small slit in the bottom and then insert the token). PREP: 40 min+ rising
BAKE: 25 min + cooling 2 pkgs (1/4 oz each) active dry yeast 1/2 cup warm water(110-115 degrees) 1/4 cup sugar,divided 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup warm 2% milk(110-115 degrees) 2 egg yolks 1 1/4 tsps salt 1 tsp grated lemon peel 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 egg,beaten
GLAZE: 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 tsps lemon juice 2-3 TB water Green,purple and yellow sugars In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add 1/2 cup sugar,butter,milk,yolks,salt,peel,nutmeg and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough ( dough will be sticky). Turn onto a floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 min. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16-in by 10-in rectangle. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over dough to eithin 1/2 in. of the edges. Roll up dough jelly-roll style, starting with a long side,pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet;pinch the ends together to form a ring. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Brush with egg. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 -30 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cake. Sprinkle with colored sugars.
YIELD: 1 cake (12 slices) ( Source: Taste of Home)
