King Cake is a delightful, colorful treat with its soft, cinnamon-spiced dough, sweet cream cheese filling, and vibrant icing drizzle. Traditionally enjoyed during Mardi Gras celebrations, this cake is topped with sugar sprinkles in purple, green, and gold—symbolizing justice, faith, and power.
What is King Cake?
A King Cake is a rich, braided pastry that’s typically filled with cinnamon and sugar, though variations abound. The cake is decorated with colorful icing in vibrant shades of purple, green, and gold, which are associated with Mardi Gras. The most exciting part of making King Cake, however, is the inclusion of a tiny hidden figurine—often a plastic baby. The person who finds the baby in their slice is said to have good luck and is expected to host the next King Cake party or provide the next cake!
Why is King Cake a Mardi Gras Tradition?
King Cake’s tradition is rooted in religious and cultural history. The cake is traditionally enjoyed during the Carnival season, leading up to Mardi Gras. It’s named after the Three Kings who visited the baby Jesus, and the cake is traditionally served starting on Twelfth Night (January 6th) and eaten through Mardi Gras (the day before Ash Wednesday). Over time, the King Cake has evolved into a festive symbol of the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, though it’s enjoyed all over the world.
Tips and Tricks for Making the Perfect King Cake
- Don’t Rush the Dough: The dough needs time to rise properly to ensure a fluffy, tender cake. Be patient during the rise times for the best result.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: When making the dough and filling, make sure the butter is soft but not melted. This ensures a smoother dough and filling.
- Flavor Variations: While cinnamon is traditional, feel free to experiment with other flavors like chocolate, cream cheese, or fruit fillings (blueberries or apples would be delicious!).
- Check the Baking Time: Every oven is different, so start checking the cake around 20 minutes to ensure it doesn’t over-brown. If the top is getting too dark, cover it with aluminum foil.
- For a Richer Cake: You can substitute milk with heavy cream for a more decadent dough.
Variations of King Cake
- Cream Cheese King Cake: Add a layer of sweetened cream cheese to the filling for a tangy twist.
- Chocolate King Cake: Incorporate a rich chocolate filling along with the cinnamon, or use a chocolate ganache for the glaze.
- Fruit-filled King Cake: For a lighter variation, use a fruit jam or preserves (like raspberry or apricot) as the filling.
- Mini King Cakes: Instead of one large cake, create individual-sized King Cakes by cutting the dough into smaller rounds.
How to Serve King Cake
King Cake is best served at room temperature, allowing the glaze to harden slightly for the perfect texture. You can serve it for breakfast, brunch, or as a festive dessert. Pair it with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for the ultimate Mardi Gras experience. It’s also a great party treat, and guests can enjoy the fun of finding the hidden baby!
How to Store King Cake
Store leftover King Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to store it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply thaw and warm in the oven for a few minutes.
King Cake Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I make King Cake ahead of time? A: Yes, you can make King Cake a day or two ahead of time. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container once it’s fully cooled.
Q: Where can I find the tiny baby for King Cake? A: The plastic baby can often be found at party supply stores, online, or specialty kitchen stores. You can also use a small coin or other small, heat-resistant figurine, though be sure to let your guests know it’s there.
Q: Is King Cake only for Mardi Gras? A: While King Cake is most popular during Mardi Gras, you can enjoy it year-round! It’s perfect for any celebration or simply as a fun dessert.
Q: Can I make King Cake without yeast? A: Yes, you can make a quick version of King Cake using a store-bought dough (like puff pastry or biscuit dough) if you’re short on time.
King Cake (Mardi Gras)
King Cake is a delightful, colorful treat with its soft, cinnamon-spiced dough, sweet cream cheese filling, and vibrant icing drizzle.
Ingredients
For the Enriched Bread Dough:
- 1 cup warm whole milk (110°F)
- 4 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packets)
- 6-6 1/2 cups bread flour (separated)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (save wrappers)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (+1 tbsp)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Filling:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tsp lemon zest (1/2 lemon)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp water
Vanilla Glaze:
- 3 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp light corn syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted butter (optional)
- Hot water to thin as needed
- Optional Garnishes:
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar
- Chocolate shavings
- Plastic baby or dried bean
Instructions
Prepare the Sponge:
- In a bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, 2 cups of flour, and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir to form a paste, cover, and let sit in a warm spot for 30 minutes. (You can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours if needed).
- Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs and mix until smooth, then stir in the sponge.
- Gradually add remaining flour, cardamom, and salt. Knead for 10 minutes (or use a stand mixer with a dough hook) until dough is soft and elastic. Let rise for 1 hour in a greased bowl, covered with a towel.
- After the dough doubles in size, punch it down, cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours (or overnight) for easier handling.
- For the cinnamon-sugar, beat together brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. For the cream cheese filling,blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla.
Assemble the Cake:
- Roll out dough into two rectangles. Spread cinnamon-sugar on one and cream cheese on the other. Roll up each into logs, then twist the two logs together to form a wreath shape. Seal the ends and let rise for 30 minutes.
Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush dough with egg wash and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and hollow when tapped. Rotate pan halfway through for even baking.
Make the Glaze:
- Combine powdered sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and butter. Add hot water to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Once cooled, drizzle the glaze over the cake and decorate with colorful sanding sugar or sprinkles. For extra fun, add the plastic baby or dried bean for that traditional touch!
- Slice, share, and enjoy your festive King Cake—perfect for Mardi Gras or any celebration!
Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1642Total Fat 31gSaturated Fat 16gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 112mgSodium 133mgCarbohydrates 292gFiber 9gSugar 47gProtein 44g
TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to Mardi Gras or a seasoned celebrator, making a King Cake is a fantastic way to bring joy and festivity into your home. This cake is full of tradition, color, and flavor—and most importantly, it brings people together. With a little patience and creativity, you’ll be able to create a perfect King Cake that will be the centerpiece of your celebrations. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and get ready to indulge in a sweet tradition that’s sure to bring smiles to everyone at the table. Happy baking!
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