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King Cake Soft Recipe

Irresistible King Cake Soft Recipe with Cinnamon Swirl Delight

Celebrate Mardi Gras with this King Cake Soft Recipe featuring a delightful cinnamon swirl.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 275

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 cup warm milk about 110°F
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ½ cup granulated sugar divided
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for dough
For the Filling
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk or water to adjust consistency
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration
  • purple sanding sugar
  • green sanding sugar
  • gold sanding sugar
  • 1 small plastic baby optional

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and a teaspoon of granulated sugar. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar, eggs, softened butter, and salt. Gradually pour in the activated yeast mixture and add flour and ground cinnamon. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
  3. Lightly grease a large bowl, place the dough inside, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare the filling by mixing brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl until it forms a thick paste.
  5. Once the dough has risen, punch it down, roll it out into a rectangle, spread the filling evenly, roll it tightly, and seal the seams.
  6. Place the formed ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely with a damp cloth, and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  7. Bake the King Cake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla extract for the glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled cake and decorate with sanding sugars.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Patience in rising the dough is key for the best results. Serve with coffee or hot chocolate.

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