Mardi Gras King Cake (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Dough
01 -
1/4 cup melted butter
02 -
3/4 cup warm milk
03 -
3 cups plain flour
04 -
1/4 cup sugar
05 -
2 large eggs
06 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
07 -
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) dry yeast
→ Filling
08 -
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
09 -
1/3 cup softened butter
10 -
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
→ Icing & Decoration
11 -
Around 2-3 tablespoons of cream or milk
12 -
2 cups powdered sugar
13 -
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
14 -
Colored sprinkles in gold, purple, and green
15 -
Small plastic baby figurine (if you'd like to follow tradition)
# Instructions:
01 -
Stir yeast into warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes or until bubbly in a big bowl.
02 -
To the yeast blend, stir in melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and half the flour. Keep adding what's left of the flour little by little until a soft dough comes together.
03 -
Work the dough on a floured countertop for 8 minutes or so until smooth. Grease a bowl, place the dough in it, cover up, and let it rest in a warm spot for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
04 -
While you wait for the dough to rise, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and set it aside.
05 -
After the dough's risen, press it down and roll it out into a rectangular shape (about 10×20 inches). Spread softened butter over it, evenly sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mix, and roll it up tightly from the long edge.
06 -
Form the dough roll into an oval-shaped ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Pinch the ends together, then let it rise another 30 minutes while you heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
07 -
Put the ring in the oven and bake for roughly 25 minutes until it's golden brown. After it cools down a bit, you can hide the baby figurine inside if you'd like.
08 -
Mix powdered sugar with cream (and vanilla if using) until smooth. Spread it on the cooled cake, then top it with colored sprinkles, dividing them into sections of purple, green, and gold.
# Notes:
01 -
This bright, sweet king cake brings Carnival vibes to your home. Fluffy, buttery layers are filled with warm cinnamon, and you can even change it up with cream cheese or fruity fillings.
02 -
The classic Mardi Gras colors—green, purple, and gold—symbolize faith, justice, and power.
03 -
It’s said that whoever discovers the plastic baby in their slice gets the honor of being 'king' or 'queen' for the day and should make the next king cake!
04 -
Feel free to get creative with the filling. Try praline, fruit preserves, or even a cream cheese layer for something different.