Mardis Gras King Cake (with cream cheese filling) Recipe

I've been to New Orleans, several times, but never during the Mardis Gras season. (I'm not so sure I could handle the crowds and craziness.) Mardi Gras season begins on January 6, of each year and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. One of the wonderful traditions of Mardi Gras, and probably the most

delicious, is the King Cake. The "traditional" King Cake is made from

twisted strands of cinnamon dough.

A few years ago, I was handed a slice of "King Cake" from a local bakery. It was bone-dry, and didn't have a whole lot of flavor, and so I made it my personal mission to try baking my own King Cake. I really enjoy baking sweet rolls, and once I searched various recipes, I decided to make a brioche-type dough,…