King Cake

Ingredients:

1 c. 1% milk
4 Tbs. margarine
2 (1/4 oz.) packets of yeast
2/3 c. warm water
1/2 c. sugar, divided
1/2 c. Egg Beaters
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. golden raisins
1/2 c. chopped pecans
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbs. margarine
1 c. powdered sugar
3 Tbs. water
yellow food coloring
colored sugar (bright colors!)

Combine milk and 4 Tbs. margarine in a small skillet and heat to medium low heat. As soon as it starts to bubble, remove from the heat and let cool. Meanwhile, mix the yeast, 2/3 c. water and 1 Tbs. granulated sugar in an electric mixer. Let stand for five minutes. Beat in the Egg Beaters. Beat in the milk mixture, remaining granulated sugar, salt and nutmeg. Add the flour, one cup at a time, on low speed. When everything is blended, switch to a dough hook attachment. Mix for another 2 minutes until all of the dough is smooth and elastic.

Shape the dough into a ball. Spray a large bowl with non stick cooking spray and add the dough ball, making sure it all has been greased by the oil in the bowl. Cover with saran wrap and let sit on the counter for 80-90 minutes. When the dough has doubled in size, roll into a large rectangle with a rolling pin.

Melt 1 Tbs. margarine in a microwave, covered, for 15-20 seconds. Combine the brown sugar, raisins, pecans, cinnamon and butter together. Pour over the rolled out dough and spread evenly, leaving 2 inches of just dough on one side, lengthwise. Starting at the edge towards you, roll up the dough tightly like a jelly roll. Lift and place in the shape of a ring on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non stick spray. Pinch the ends together so that the dough is one continuous circle. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rise again for 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Using a knife, slit the dough on the top, about 1/4 of the way into the dough, every inch to inch and a half. Bake for 25 minutes, and until golden brown. Let cool slightly.

Mix the powdered sugar, water and yellow food coloring together in a bowl. Drizzle over the top of the cake. Add colored sugar for fun Mardi Gras colored decoration! (Serves 24 slices, 5 WW points per slice)