Photo By: Bayou State Media Staff
King Cake is a staple of Mardi Gras celebrations, symbolizing the festive season with its vibrant colors, cinnamon-swirled layers, and hidden surprises. While many opt to purchase one from a bakery, making your own at home adds a personal touch and allows you to perfect the balance of flavors. This guide will take you through each step, ensuring your homemade King Cake rivals any from a New Orleans bakery!
King Cake has its origins in France and Spain but became synonymous with Louisiana’s Mardi Gras season. Traditionally, it's a sweet, brioche-like dough filled with cinnamon, cream cheese, or fruit, then topped with icing and colored sugar in purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). A small baby figurine is often hidden inside, and the lucky finder hosts the next King Cake party!
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Dough:
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
½ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
For the Filling:
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened (optional)
For the Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decorating:
Purple, green, and gold colored sugars
Plastic baby (or a pecan if you prefer)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Add a teaspoon of sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it foams (a sign that the yeast is active).
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, mix the eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
Pour the yeast mixture and wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until the dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
2. Make the Filling
While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
If using cream cheese, blend it separately until smooth.
3. Assemble the King Cake
Roll out the dough into a rectangle (about 10x20 inches).
Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough. If using cream cheese, spread it first before the sugar mixture.
Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log.
Shape the log into a ring and pinch the ends together to seal.
Place the ring onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover with a towel and let it rise again for 45 minutes.
4. Bake the Cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Allow it to cool completely before decorating.
5. Decorate the King Cake
Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to create a smooth icing.
Drizzle the icing generously over the cooled cake.
Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugars in sections to create the traditional Mardi Gras look.
Insert the plastic baby underneath the cake once cooled.
Final Touches & Serving
Slice and serve your King Cake to family and friends! Whoever finds the baby is responsible for making (or buying) the next King Cake. Now you’re ready to enjoy your homemade Louisiana tradition. Happy Mardi Gras!
Pro Tips for a Perfect King Cake
If you want a more buttery, flakier dough, refrigerate it overnight after the first rise and continue in the morning.
Don’t overfill the cake; too much filling can cause it to leak out during baking.
For a boozy twist, add a teaspoon of rum or bourbon to the icing.
Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)
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