Mardi Gras isn’t complete without a slice of King Cake, and this one is fit for royalty. Lifeway Farmer Cheese gives the filling a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs perfectly with cinnamon-kissed dough, while a smooth, indulgent icing made with Lifeway Kefir infuses the cake with probiotics to give your gut some love while you indulge. Cut yourself a slice, and let the good times roll.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is also a great source of all these nutrients, just in a different format for all the cheese lovers out there.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 tbsp. active dry yeast (or 1 standard packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
For the Farmer Cheese Filling:
- 1 (15 oz.) container Farmer Cheese
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup Lowfat Plain Kefir
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
Directions
For the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the yeast mixture, until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in 1 a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Make the Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the farmer cheese filling. In a bowl, combine Lifeway Farmer Cheese, sugar, flour, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the King Cake:
- Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle (about 12x18 inches).
- In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon for the swirl. Brush the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Spread the farmer cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along one of the long edges.
- Starting from the opposite long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal.
- Carefully transfer the log to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Shape the log into an oval or circle, tucking the ends underneath and pinching to seal.
- Cover the king cake and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Bake the King Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the king cake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Decorate the King Cake:
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the icing. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.
- (Optional) Hide a small plastic baby figurine inside the cake before baking.
