Description
This King Cake recipe is a traditional Mardi Gras dessert, featuring a soft, buttery dough, a warm cinnamon-sugar filling, and a vibrant sugar topping in purple, green, and gold. This festive treat is a staple in New Orleans celebrations, bringing joy and tradition to every bite. Whether for Fat Tuesday, Epiphany, or any special occasion, this homemade sweet bread is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze & Topping:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, stir the yeast into the warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until bubbles form.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla to the dry ingredients.
- Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Filling
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll out the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the buttered surface.
3. Shape and Bake
- Roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long edge.
- Shape the log into a ring, pinching the edges together to seal.
- Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let it rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown.
4. Add the Glaze and Decorations
- Once the cake has cooled, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cake, letting it slightly drip down the sides.
- Immediately sprinkle the purple, green, and gold sugar over the glaze before it sets.
- Optionally, insert a small baby figurine into the bottom of the cake before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If using a cream cheese filling, refrigerate it.
- Freezing: Wrap slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Substitutions: You can use store-bought pizza or brioche dough if short on time.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or champagne for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: New Orleans, French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: king cake recipe, Mardi Gras cake, New Orleans dessert, traditional king cake, cinnamon sweet bread