Bavarian Cream King Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 4½ cups all-purpose flour (high-quality bread flour recommended)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup warm whole milk
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
• 6 large egg yolks
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar (2 cups) - For glaze
• Colored sugar (1/2 cup each) - Purple, green, gold
• Ceramic baby figurine (1 piece) - Traditional luck charm
• Corn syrup (2 tbsp) - For sugar adherence