Description
Indulge in the festive spirit with this Authentic Mardi Gras King Cake recipe. A traditional dessert that’s perfect for celebrating the carnival season!
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 packets (4 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 5 large egg yolks
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
- 1 plastic baby or bean (optional for tradition)
- Green, purple, and gold colored sugar for decorating
Filling:
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Stir in melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla, lemon zest, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling by mixing brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a small bowl. Cut in softened butter until crumbly.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle. Spread filling evenly over the surface.
- Roll up the dough lengthwise into a log, then form into a ring, pinching the ends to seal. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon milk for the egg wash, and brush over the dough. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake, then sprinkle immediately with green, purple, and gold sugars in alternating stripes.
- If desired, insert the plastic baby into the underside of the cake after baking and before serving.
Notes
- Traditionally, whoever finds the baby in their slice is responsible for bringing the King Cake next year!
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg