The “Elvis” King Cake
 
Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast*
  • ½ cup warm whole buttermilk (120° to 130°)
  • 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus more if needed
  • 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • Peanut Butter and Banana Filling (recipe follows)
  • 1 cup chopped bacon, cooked and drained
  • 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup water, divided
  • 2 heaping teaspoons powdered gelatin
  • ⅓ cup light corn syrup
  • Mardi Gras sprinkles or colored sugars
  • King Cake baby or other charm (optional)
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, stir together yeast and buttermilk. Add 1⅓ cups flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, butter, salt, and egg; beat at medium speed just until combined. Scrape down bowl, and continue beating for at least 15 minutes. (The dough should be silky, supple, and tacky. You may need to add 1 tablespoon flour while beating to achieve this texture.)
  2. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm, draft-free place (75°) until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  3. Divide proofed or chilled dough into 
2 pieces. Use remaining 1 cup flour to dust dough, work surface, and rolling pin. Roll each piece into an 8x10-inch rectangle. Spread each strip with a layer of Peanut Butter and Banana Filling.
  4. Using a serrated knife, cut each strip in half lengthwise, and carefully roll each strip into a rope. Twist 2 ropes together end over end. Repeat with remaining 2 ropes. Bring twists together, sealing ends and forming a circle.
  5. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and cover with a tea towel. Let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°) until doubled in size, about 1½ hours.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°.
  7. Bake until light brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand on a wire rack until cool.
  8. In a medium bowl, toss together bacon and brown sugar. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until sugar is melted, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn out bacon onto paper towels to let drain and cool.
  9. In a small bowl, stir together ¼ cup cold water and gelatin; let stand until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Melt over a hot water bath or in microwave, heating 
15 seconds at a time. Set aside.
  10. In a small saucepan, cook remaining ¼ cup water, remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat until a candy thermometer registers 242°. Remove from heat, and let sugar mixture cool until a candy thermometer registers 210°. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat at medium-high speed until foamy. Add gelatin mixture, and beat at high speed until light, fluffy, and cool to the touch, 6 to 8 minutes.
  11. Using a spatula, spread marshmallow topping onto king cake. Using a kitchen torch, brown topping until golden. Sprinkle with Mardi Gras sprinkles or colored sugars. If desired, finish by lifting 
the king cake and hiding the king cake baby under a random portion of dough. Top with candied bacon.
Notes
*We used Lesaffre Saf-Instant Yeast, which does not need to be dissolved.
Note: To make dough ahead, in Step 2, dough may be pressed into a lightly oiled rimmed baking sheet, and covered with plastic wrap. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Proceed with the recipe as-written, except the chilled dough will need additional rising time in Step 5 (up to 1½ hours more, not more than 3 hours total).
Recipe by Louisiana Cookin' at https://louisianacookin.com/elvis-king-cake/