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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Make dough: Gradually mix the melted butter, eggs, and flour into the yeast mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for approximately five minutes or until it becomes elastic and smooth.
- 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.
- Prepare filling: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- 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.
- Form cake: Shape the rolled dough into an oval (king cake shape) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Second rise: Let the shaped dough rise again for 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- 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
