King Cake Recipe

Introduction

King Cake is a festive and colorful treat traditionally enjoyed during Mardi Gras celebrations. This soft, creamy-filled pastry combines tender dough with a sweet cream cheese filling, topped with vibrant purple, green, and gold colors to brighten any gathering.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Food coloring (purple, green, gold)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast. Let it sit until bubbly, about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Gradually mix in the melted butter, eggs, and flour until a smooth dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for about five minutes until it becomes elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise for one hour or until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Once risen, roll the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough tightly into a log, then form it into an oval shape on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Let the shaped dough rise for another 30 minutes before baking.
9. Step 9: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, until the King Cake is golden brown.
10. Step 10: Allow the cake to cool before glazing and decorating with the traditional Mardi Gras colors using food coloring.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the cream cheese filling before spreading it on the dough.
• Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
• If you prefer, you can use store-bought powdered sugar glaze colored with purple, green, and gold instead of homemade glaze.
• Wrap the dough log tightly when rolling to prevent the cream cheese filling from leaking during baking.

Storage

Store the King Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven to refresh its softness before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make King Cake dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before. After the first rise, punch it down, wrap tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature and rise again before shaping and baking.

What is the significance of the colors on King Cake?

The traditional Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold—represent justice, faith, and power, respectively. Decorating the cake with these colors honors Mardi Gras heritage and adds festive flair.

King Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 91 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

A traditional King Cake recipe featuring a soft, yeast-raised dough filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture, decorated with the symbolic Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. Perfect for celebrations and enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs

Filling

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Decoration

• Food coloring (purple, green, gold)

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let this mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
2. Make dough: Gradually mix the melted butter, eggs, and flour into the yeast mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
3. Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for approximately five minutes or until it becomes elastic and smooth.
4. First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about one hour, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Prepare filling: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
6. Shape and fill dough: Roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the dough, then roll it tightly into a log shape.
7. Form cake: Shape the rolled dough into an oval (king cake shape) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Second rise: Let the shaped dough rise again for 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
10. Cool and decorate: Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing with icing and sprinkling with traditional purple, green, and gold colored sugars or icing.

Notes

• Ensure the milk is warmed to about 110°F (43°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Kneading the dough well develops gluten, making the cake light and fluffy.
• The cream cheese filling can be mixed with vanilla extract for extra flavor.
• For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with milk or lemon juice and decorate with colored sugars in the traditional Mardi Gras colors.
• King Cake traditionally contains a small plastic baby figurine hidden inside—insert once the cake is slightly cooled to avoid melting.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American (Creole/Southern)

Keywords: King Cake, Mardi Gras Cake, Cream Cheese King Cake, Traditional King Cake, Mardi Gras Recipe