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–+ servings
Merry

Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe – Perfect for Festive Celebrations!

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!
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Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method
 

Prepare the Dough:
  1. Warm the milk and mix with yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit until frothy, about 5 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, mix sugar, butter, eggs, and salt. Add the yeast mixture.
  3. Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes or until smooth.
  4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling:
  1. 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:
  1. Roll the dough into a large rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick). Spread the filling evenly across the surface.
  2. Roll the dough tightly into a log and shape it into a ring, pinching the ends together.
Bake the Cake:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the ring on a greased baking sheet and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
  3. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Decorate the Cake:
  1. Mix powdered sugar with milk or water to create a glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled cake.
  2. Decorate with purple, green, and gold sprinkles, and hide the baby inside the cake.
  3.  

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.

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