- 12
Ingredients
- Prep Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Ingredients: Cake
- • 1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110° F)
- • 2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
- • 2 teaspoons white sugar
- • 4-5 cups bread flour
- • 1/2 cup sugar
- • 2 teaspoons salt
- • 11/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- • 1/2 cup warm milk (105° to 115° F)
- • 1/2 cup melted butter – cooled
- • 5 egg yolks
- • 1 teaspoon anise extract
- • vegetable oil/shortening
- • 1 plastic baby toy
- Ingredients: Glaze (Yield: 11/2 cups)
- • 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
- • 1 teaspoons almond extract
- • 2-3 Tablespoons water
- Ingredients: Decoration
- • Purple, green and gold sugar sprinkles
Preparation
Step 1
1. Dissolve yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar in ½ cup warm water in a small bowl. Mix well and let stand in a warm place 10 minutes.
2. Combine 4 cups flour, ½ cup sugar, salt, nutmeg and grated lemon zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook.
3. Add warm milk, melted butter, egg yolks, anise and yeast mixture to the mixer bowl. Mix on low speed until it lightly comes together, then increase the speed to medium and beat until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl, forms a ball, and climbs slightly up the dough hook.
4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead in remaining flour until dough is no longer sticky. Continue kneading until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
5. Place in a well-greased bowl and turn it to oil all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, set in a warm (85°), draft-free place, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1½ hours.
Hint: A closed unlit gas oven is an excellent draft-free place. The heat from the pilot provides adequate warmth for proper rising. With an electric oven, turn to 150° for about 3 minutes, then turn off the heat and open the door for 3 minutes. Place the bowl of dough in the oven and quickly close the door. This will give you an approximate temperature of 85°, just right for even and fairly quick rising.
6. Punch dough down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
7. Shape dough into a cylinder 30 inches long and 6 inches in diameter. Place dough roll on a lightly greased baking sheet.
8. Bring ends together to form an oval ring, moistening and pinching edges together to seal.
9. Place a well-greased 2 pound coffee can in the center of the ring to maintain the shape during baking.
10. Press the plastic baby toy into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough.
11. Cover the ring with a towel and place in a warm, draft free place. Let the dough rise for about 45 minutes or until the dough doubles in size.
12. Preheat the oven 350° F.
13. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
14. After baking remove the coffee can immediately. Allow the cake to cool.
15. After baking remove the coffee can immediately. Allow the cake to cool.
16. Cut the cake into individual pieces and serve.
Ça c'est bon!!!