Description
Bring the festive spirit of Mardi Gras to your kitchen with this delicious and traditional King Cake recipe! A soft, sweet dough is filled with a rich cinnamon filling, baked to perfection, and topped with colorful glaze and sugar. Don’t forget to hide the baby for an extra touch of tradition!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup whole milk (warmed to 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs
- 4–5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 8 oz cream cheese (optional, for a creamier filling)
For the Decoration:
-
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or water
- Purple, green, and gold sugar sprinkles
- 1 plastic baby figurine (optional)
Instructions
-
- Prepare the Dough:
- Warm the milk and mix with yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit until frothy, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix sugar, butter, eggs, and salt. Add the yeast mixture.
- Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes or until smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl. If using cream cheese, blend it with a bit of powdered sugar for a creamier filling.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Roll the dough into a large rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick). Spread the filling evenly across the surface.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and shape it into a ring, pinching the ends together.
- Bake the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the ring on a greased baking sheet and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Decorate the Cake:
- Mix powdered sugar with milk or water to create a glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled cake.
- Decorate with purple, green, and gold sprinkles, and hide the baby inside the cake.
- Prepare the Dough:
Notes
- Storage: Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Alternate Fillings: Feel free to experiment with fruit preserves, chocolate, or pecans for a unique twist.
- Natural Food Coloring: Substitute the colored sprinkles with natural dyes made from beet, turmeric, or spinach powders for a healthier option.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American