Description
This Easy Mardi Gras King Cake recipe brings the festive flavors of New Orleans right to your kitchen. Soft and sweet yeast dough is filled with cinnamon-sugar, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a classic sugary glaze and vibrant colored sprinkles. Perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras or any joyful occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup softened butter (for spreading)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk or cream
- Colored sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast; let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy to ensure the yeast is activated and ready to use.
- Make Dough: Add melted butter, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, and half of the flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well and gradually incorporate the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Filling: While waiting, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together to make the filling.
- Shape Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle on a lined surface.
- Add Filling and Roll: Spread softened butter evenly over the dough rectangle, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top, then roll the dough tightly from one long side to create a log shape.
- Form Cake: Shape the rolled dough into an oval on a lined baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Let the cake rise again for 30 minutes while preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the king cake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cake is cooked through.
- Make Glaze: Allow the cake to cool slightly. Whisk powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream until smooth to create the glaze.
- Decorate: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and sprinkle with colored Mardi Gras-themed sprinkles before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading the dough well is crucial for a soft and elastic texture.
- Let the dough rise in a draft-free, warm area for best results.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, you can brush the top of the cake with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- Colored sugar crystals can be used instead of sprinkles for traditional Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold.
