King Cake
King Cake is the vibrant centerpiece of Mardi Gras celebrations, combining rich, sweet dough with fun fillings and colorful icing. This delightful pastry not only captivates your taste buds but also brings together family and friends as they search for the hidden baby figurine—a symbol of luck and joy. Perfect for any festive occasion, this easy-to-follow recipe ensures your King Cake is a showstopper at your gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 12 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Colored sprinkles (traditional purple, green, gold)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast; let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add sugar, butter, eggs, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually mix in flour to form a soft dough.
- Knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Punch down the dough and roll into a rectangle about ½ inch thick. Spread filling of choice evenly over the dough; roll tightly.
- Shape into a ring by pinching ends together; place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly before drizzling with glaze made from powdered sugar mixed with water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (80g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg