Cake
1/2 C warm water (100-115* F)
2 T yeast
1/2 C sugar, plus 2 tsp.
3 1/2 – 4 C flour
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/2 C warm milk
5 egg yolks
1/2 C butter
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg beaten with 1 T milk, for egg wash

Icing
3 C confectioner’s sugar
1/4 C lemon juice
3-6 T water
1 tiny 1" baby doll

Directions:
Sprinkle yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar over warm water in a small, shallow bowl. Allow to rest for 3-5 minutes, then mix thoroughly. Set bowl in a warm, draft-free place until yeast starts to bubble up and mixture almost doubles in volume, about 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, mix 3 1/2 C flour, 1/2 cup sugar, nutmeg, lemon zest and salt. In mixing bowl of a heavy duty electric mixer or food processor, combine yeast , milk and egg yolks. Gradually add dry ingredients, and softened butter, adding additional flour, as necessary to achieve a medium-soft ball. Knead dough, again adding flour if necessary, until smooth, shiny and elastic, about 10 minutes.

Place dough in a covered, buttered bowl , in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

In the meantime, butter a large baking sheet and set aside.

When dough has risen, remove and punch down. Sprinkle with cinnamon and form into a                          

cylinder, then twist this cylinder into a circle. Pinch the ends together to complete the circle. Once again, cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 375*F.

Brush top and sides of cake with egg wash and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack completely before hiding baby doll inside , or icing and decorating. (be sure to warn your guests of what to expect as you don’t want anyone choking!)  tradition calls for the person who gets the "lucky" piece of cake with the baby doll inside, to throw the next party — or  buy or make the next King Cake.

Icing
Mix sugar, lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of water until mixture is smooth, adding more water as necessary to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Spread icing over cake and immediately sprinkle colored sugar in alternating color rows. 

              

The cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi-Gras colors: green, representing faith, gold symbolizing power, and purple denoting justice.

Source:  www.FabulousFood.com