King Cake


 * For the King Cake:
 * 2/3 cup golden raisins
 * 1/4 cup bourbon
 * 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
 * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 * 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped (See Notes)
 * 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
 * 4 ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into small pieces
 * 2 tablespoons chopped candied ginger
 * 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting counter
 * 1/4 teaspoon salt
 * 1 package Dufour brand puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions (See Notes)
 * 1 fava or kidney bean, or plastic baby doll
 * 1 large egg yolk
 * 2 tablespoons heavy cream
 * For the Glaze:
 * 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
 * 3 tablespoons heavy cream
 * 2 tablespoons bourbon
 * 1/8 teaspoon salt
 * Colored sanding sugar for decorating
 * Colored sanding sugar for decorating

Procedures

 * 1) 1

For the King Cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.


 * 1) 2

Microwave in small bowl (or bring to boil in small saucepan) raisins, bourbon, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 minutes in microwave, 5 minutes in saucepan. Cool to room temperature, 5 to 10 minutes.


 * 1) 3

In large bowl, using two dinner knives, cut in pecans, brown sugar, cream cheese, ginger, flour, and salt until mixture resembles coarse meal. Alternatively, work mixture together with fingertips. Stir in cooled raisin mixture.


 * 1) 4

Dust clean, dry counter with flour. Flour rolling pin. Roll pastry out to 20- by 15-inches. Distribute filling evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Place fava anywhere on filling.


 * 1) 5

Starting at the long end, roll dough up into a log. Transfer log to prepared baking sheet and shape into an oval, pressing ends to seal. Beat egg yolk and cream and brush over log.


 * 1) 6

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.7em;font-size:1em;line-height:1.625em;">Bake until puffed and golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.7em;font-size:1em;line-height:1.625em;">
 * 1) 7<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.7em;font-size:1em;line-height:1.625em;">

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.7em;font-size:1em;line-height:1.625em;">For the Glaze:Whisk confectioners’ sugar, cream, bourbon, and salt together in medium bowl. Drizzle over cooled cake and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Serve.