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King Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 70 reviews

This traditional King Cake recipe offers a delightful homemade version of the iconic Mardi Gras treat. Soft, sweet yeast dough filled with a creamy sweetened cream cheese filling is rolled into an oval-shaped cake, baked to a golden perfection, and decorated with festive colored sugar. Perfect for celebrating with family and friends, it delivers the classic flavors and beautiful presentation of this beloved New Orleans dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Decorations

  • Food coloring (purple, green, gold)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make Dough: Gradually add the melted butter, eggs, and all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well to form a smooth dough that is slightly sticky but manageable.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about five minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. This develops the gluten for a soft texture.
  4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  5. Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, blend the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl until smooth and well combined to create the filling.
  6. Shape and Fill: Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Evenly spread the cream cheese filling over the dough. Starting from one end, roll the dough tightly into a log shape.
  7. Form Cake: Transfer the rolled log onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and carefully form it into an oval shape, the traditional King Cake form.
  8. Second Rise: Cover the cake loosely and allow it to rise again for about 30 minutes, so it becomes slightly puffy before baking.
  9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the exterior is golden brown and cooked through.
  10. Cool and Decorate: Allow the King Cake to cool completely before glazing or decorating with colored sugar sprinkled in purple, green, and gold hues to celebrate Mardi Gras traditions.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Kneading is essential for a light and airy texture in the cake.
  • Let the dough rise in a draft-free environment to get the best rise.
  • You can substitute cream cheese filling with cinnamon sugar for a different flavor.
  • Traditionally, a small plastic baby figurine is hidden inside the cake before baking; if used, insert it after baking to avoid melting or damage.
  • For best results, use fresh yeast and high-quality ingredients.

Keywords: King Cake, Mardi Gras, yeast cake, cream cheese filling, New Orleans dessert, festive cake

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/king-cake-recipe/