Welcome to the festive world of Mardi Gras with this delightful king cake recipe! This beloved tradition brings joy and deliciousness to celebrations. Our recipe features a sweet, tender brioche-style dough, a vibrant icing, and two incredible filling options: classic cinnamon and a creamy cream cheese. Get ready to bake two beautiful cakes, perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Why You’ll Love This King Cake Recipe
- Incredibly Delicious: Enjoy a soft, fluffy, and tender texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.
- Customizable Fillings: Choose between a classic cinnamon sugar swirl or a rich, tangy cream cheese filling, or even make one of each!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dough in advance to simplify your baking day, making this an easy king cake recipe for busy schedules.
- Festive Tradition: Embrace the fun of Mardi Gras by baking and decorating this iconic cake, complete with hidden baby and colorful sugars.
- Beginner-Friendly: Our clear, step-by-step instructions make this king cake recipe accessible for even novice bakers.
Ingredients
This fantastic king cake recipe yields two delicious cakes. Gather your ingredients for the dough, fillings, and icing before you begin.
For the Dough:
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled (705g to 776g))
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (68g)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Icing:
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Green, purple, and yellow food coloring
- Green, purple, and yellow sanding sugars
Notes & Substitutions
Weighing your flour (705-776g) is ideal for consistent results; otherwise, spoon and level it into your measuring cups. For butter, salted is specified, but unsalted works too – simply add a pinch more salt to the dough. This king cake recipe uses active dry yeast; if using instant yeast, you can skip proofing it and add it directly with the dry ingredients. Remember to tuck your plastic baby figurine into the cooled cake, never bake it inside! You can make your own colored sugar by mixing a few drops of food coloring into granulated sugar and spreading it on a plate to dry.
Equipment
Gathering your tools makes baking this king cake recipe smoother. You will need a stand mixer with a dough hook for efficient kneading, or be prepared to knead by hand. Essential items include two baking sheets, parchment paper, a rolling pin, and a pizza cutter for shaping. A digital thermometer is helpful for checking milk temperature and cake doneness. Measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a whisk or electric mixer for fillings are also necessary.
Instructions
Creating this festive king cake recipe is a rewarding process. Follow these steps carefully for the best results.
Dough
First, prepare your rich brioche dough. Warm the milk and 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan until the butter melts and the mixture reaches 105-115°F (40-46°C). Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. In a separate small bowl, combine warm water, 1 tablespoon active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the milk mixture, proofed yeast mixture, remaining granulated sugar, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Add 3 cups of the all-purpose flour and mix with the dough hook on low speed until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Knead for 5-7 minutes on medium-low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should be slightly sticky. Lightly grease a large bowl, place the dough in it, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This first rise is crucial for the texture of your King Cake.
Fillings
While the dough rises, prepare your chosen fillings. For the Cinnamon Filling, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. Pour in the 4 tablespoons of melted salted butter and mix until well combined and crumbly.
For the Cream Cheese Filling, beat the softened 8 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons softened salted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for a lump-free filling.
Assembly
Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half. Roll one half into a rectangle, approximately 18×12 inches (45×30 cm). Spread your chosen filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll the dough tightly into a log from the long side. If making the cinnamon swirl King Cake, you might gently twist the log to create a braid-like pattern. Repeat with the second dough half and remaining filling.
Carefully transfer each filled log to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Shape each log into an oval, pressing the ends together to seal them. Cover the shaped cakes loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let them rise again in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until visibly puffy. This second rise gives your King Cake its airy texture.
Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) with racks in the middle position. Once the oven is ready and the cakes have completed their second rise, place them in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and cooked through. If they brown too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil. The internal temperature should register 190-200°F (88-93°C) on a digital thermometer. Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely on wire racks before frosting. Cooling completely is essential for the icing to set properly on your festive King Cake.
Frosting & Decoration
To make the frosting, combine 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted salted butter, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 2 cups powdered sugar in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and thick enough to drizzle, but still pourable. Adjust consistency with tiny amounts of extra milk or powdered sugar as needed.
Now for the fun part: decoration! Before frosting, gently insert the plastic baby figurine into the underside of one of the King Cakes. Drizzle the white icing generously over the cooled cakes. Immediately, while the icing is wet, sprinkle sections of the cake with green, purple, and yellow sanding sugars. The colors symbolize justice (green), power (purple), and faith (gold). Serve your beautiful homemade King Cake and enjoy!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
If your dough feels sticky, resist the urge to add too much flour. A slightly sticky dough often yields a more tender crumb for your king cake recipe. Only add flour in small increments (1 tablespoon at a time) if absolutely necessary during kneading. Always ensure your yeast is active by proofing it first; water that is too hot will kill it, and water that is too cold won’t activate it. Use a digital thermometer to confirm the internal temperature of your cake reaches 190-200°F (88-93°C) for perfect doneness. For easy cleanup, always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. For an extra glossy finish on the baked cake, brush an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) over the dough before the second rise. You can also refrigerate the dough overnight after its first rise; simply punch it down, cover it, and let it chill. Bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before proceeding with assembly.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
Serve your homemade king cake recipe fresh on the same day for the best flavor and texture. It’s a wonderful centerpiece for any gathering! Store any leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is warm or the cake has a cream cheese filling, refrigerate it for up to 4 days. Allow refrigerated cake to come to room temperature before serving for optimal taste.
You can also freeze a baked, unfrosted King Cake for up to 1 month. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm slightly before frosting and serving. For variations, consider other fillings like fruit preserves, pecan praline, or almond paste. You can also add orange zest to the dough for a citrusy hint.
Nutrition Information
This nutrition information is an estimate per serving for one slice of our delicious king cake recipe (based on 20 servings per cake). Values will vary slightly based on specific ingredients and chosen filling.
| Nutrient | Amount (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350-400 |
| Carbohydrates | 60-70g |
| Protein | 7-9g |
| Fat | 10-15g |
FAQ
What is Mardi Gras and King Cake?
Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is a festive carnival celebration before the Christian season of Lent. King Cake is a traditional sweet bread eaten during this season, symbolizing the three kings who visited the Christ Child.
How did King Cake become a Mardi Gras tradition?
To understand the rich heritage of this festive treat, delve into the history of King Cake.
The tradition dates back centuries to Europe, symbolizing the Epiphany and the arrival of the Three Kings. It came to America through French and Spanish settlers and evolved into the Mardi Gras custom we know today.
Can I bake the baby figurine into the cake?
No, it’s best to insert the plastic baby figurine into the cooled cake after baking. Baking plastic is unsafe and can melt the figurine into the King Cake.
How can I make my own colored sugar?
Combine granulated sugar with a few drops of liquid or gel food coloring in a small bowl. Stir well with a spoon until the color is evenly distributed, then spread it on a plate or parchment paper to dry completely.
Why is King Cake dough sticky?
The dough for this king cake recipe is intentionally rich and slightly sticky due to its high butter and egg content. This contributes to its tender, brioche-like texture, so don’t add too much extra flour.
What do the King Cake colors symbolize?
Discover the specific symbolism of King Cake colors.
The traditional King Cake colors hold special meaning: green represents justice, purple signifies power, and gold (yellow) symbolizes faith.
Conclusion
There’s truly nothing quite like a homemade King Cake, especially when you follow this easy and reliable king cake recipe. The aroma of freshly baked brioche, the sweet fillings, and the vibrant icing all combine to create a truly magical treat. We encourage you to try this recipe and bring the festive spirit of Mardi Gras into your home. Share your delicious creations with loved ones, find the hidden baby, and enjoy every celebratory bite!