Mardi Gras King Cake

1/4 c Warm water

6 ts Milk, scalded and cooled

4 c Flour (to 5 cups)

1/2 lb Butter

3/4 c Sugar

1/4 ts Salt

4 Eggs

2 ts Melted butter

1/2 cup of flour. In a large bowl, blend butter, sugar, salt and eggs. Add yeast dough and mix thoroughly. Gradually, add

2 1/2 cups flour to make a medium dough. Place in a greased bowl and brush with melted butter. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until double in volume, about 3 hours. Use

1 cup or more flour to knead dough and roll into a

4 to 5 foot long rope. Form into a oval on a

14 x 17" greased cookie sheet, connecting ends of the rope with a few drops of water. Press the doll (or bean) into the dough from underneath. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double in volume, about 1 hour. Bake

325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush top of cake with