Mardi Gras King Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cmilk
- ¼ csalted butter
- 1 ½ tspsalt
- ⅝ cwarm water
- ½ cgranulated sugar
divided
- 1 tbspactive dry yeast
- 2 largeeggs
beaten
- 2 tspvanilla extract
- 5 call-purpose flour)
spooned & leveled (705g to 776g
- ⅝ cbrown sugar
- ⅓ cgranulated sugar
- ½ call-purpose flour
- 2 tspground cinnamon
- 4 tbspsalted butter
melted
- 8 ozcream cheese
softened
- 2 cpowdered sugar
- 2 tbspsalted butter
softened
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- 2 cpowdered sugar
- 3 tbspmilk
- 1 tbspsalted butter
melted
- 1 tsplemon juice
- 1 tspvanilla extract
Directions
Dough
- 1
Heat milk and butter for 60-90 seconds in a microwave safe bowl. Add the salt, then set aside to cool until just warm (about 120° to 130°F).
- 2
In a separate bowl, combine the warm water, about 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and the yeast. Stir, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
- 3
Once the yeast is foamy, add the milk and butter, the remaining sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and 1 cup of the flour. Mix well, then continue adding flour while kneading with the dough hook attachment, 1 cup at a time. Only add the additional 1/2 cup of flour if the dough is really sticky.* Knead for 5 minutes on medium speed or 8-10 minutes by hand to create a very soft dough that starts coming away from the sides of the bowl.
- 4
Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead a few times by hand until a smooth, round ball forms. Clean and lightly oil the bowl, then return the dough to the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
Filling
- 1
For the cinnamon filling, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter, mixing to combine. Set aside. Only use half of the amounts if you are only filling one king cake with this filling.
- 2
For the cream cheese filling, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla in a bowl. Beat well until smooth. Set aside. Only use half of the amounts if you are only filling one king cake with this filling.
Assembly
- 1
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- 2
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide in half. (Remember, this recipe makes TWO king cakes). Roll out one half of the dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface, roughly 10x16-inches. Use a pizza cutter to divide the dough in half lengthwise to create two long rectangles.
- 3
Crumble the cinnamon filling or spread cream cheese filling evenly over the dough and roll up into two long cylinders, just like when making cinnamon rolls. Twist the two logs together into a rope braid, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet, shaping into an oval and pinching the ends together. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- 4
Preheat oven to 350°F while the king cake is rising. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and baked through. The cake should be done when it reaches 190° to 195°F on a digital thermometer inserted into the center of each loaf. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- 1
Beat the powdered sugar, milk, butter, lemon juice, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. The frosting should be pourable but thick.
- 2
Stick a plastic baby figurine into each cake, pushing it down in to hide it. Drizzle the frosting over both king cakes, spreading it with a spatula if needed for good coverage. Sprinkle with the purple, green, and gold sugar while the frosting is still wet before it has a chance to set.
- 3
Slice and serve. Whoever gets the slice with the baby gets to be king or queen for the day!
Mardi Gras King Cake
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About this Recipe
Celebrate Mardi Gras with the Best Homemade King Cake!
Get ready to let the good times roll with our incredible Mardi Gras King Cake recipe! Forget bland, dry store-bought versions; this homemade King Cake is truly a labor of love that pays off in every delightful bite. We’re talking about a sweet, tender brioche dough that's simply irresistible, paired with your choice of a classic cinnamon swirl or a luscious cream cheese filling. This recipe isn't just "good," it's 1,000 times better than anything you'll find at a bakery, ensuring your Mardi Gras celebration is as authentic and delicious as possible.
What makes this King Cake recipe stand out? First, the brioche dough is the heart of its amazing texture – rich, buttery, and perfectly fluffy. You'll love the process of creating this beautiful dough, which then gets generously filled before baking to golden perfection. Plus, a fantastic bonus: this recipe makes TWO regular-sized King Cakes! That means you can easily share one with friends and family, or simply keep one for yourself to enjoy over a few days, making entertaining for Mardi Gras a breeze.
Tips for a Perfect King Cake
- Dough Patience: The brioche dough requires time to rise, but don't rush it! This slow rise develops incredible flavor and a tender texture.
- Filling Choices: While a classic cinnamon sugar is divine, our rich cream cheese filling adds an extra layer of decadence. Feel free to use both or pick your favorite!
- The Glaze: The vibrant purple, green, and gold glaze is iconic. Drizzle generously once the cakes have cooled completely for that signature Mardi Gras look. You can even add colored sugars for extra sparkle.
- Serving: Traditionally, a small plastic baby is hidden inside the cake. The person who finds it is crowned king or queen for the day and hosts the next Mardi Gras party!
Gather your ingredients and prepare to create a truly memorable Mardi Gras King Cake that will become a cherished tradition in your home.