Description
This easy Mardi Gras King Cake recipe guides you through creating a traditional festive treat featuring a soft, cinnamon-sugar filled dough rolled into an oval shape, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a sweet glaze and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras with family and friends, this recipe yields 10 servings and takes about 45 minutes of active cooking plus rising time.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for spreading)
Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
- Colored sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready.
- Make Dough: Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, and half of the flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well to combine, then gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms that is slightly sticky but manageable.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Then place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
- First Rise: Let the dough rise in a warm area for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl to create the filling.
- Roll Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
- Fill and Roll: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough rectangle, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the butter. Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Shape and Second Rise: Shape the rolled dough into an oval or ring shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes while preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the King Cake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Frost: Allow the cake to cool slightly before preparing the glaze. Mix the powdered sugar with milk or cream until smooth. Drizzle the frosting over the warm cake and decorate with colored sprinkles to celebrate Mardi Gras.
Notes
- The warm milk should be around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading is critical for developing gluten to achieve a tender, fluffy texture.
- The cake can be decorated with traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple, green, and gold sprinkles.
- For a more festive touch, you can insert a small plastic baby figurine inside the cake before the second rise.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly; the cake is best eaten within 2-3 days.
