Picture from Family Fresh Meals Publisher
This classic king cake recipe features a pillowy brioche dough filled with creamy cream cheese, baked to golden perfection, and adorned with festive purple, green, and gold sugars, hiding a surprise "king" for a delightful Mardi Gras celebration.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Servings |
| 15 mins | 45 mins | 8-10 |
INGREDIENTS
Dough
- 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
Filling
- 1 cup packed cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars
Decoration
- Small plastic baby figurine
INSTRUCTIONS
step 1: Make the doughIn a large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
step 2: Warm the milkIn a small saucepan, heat milk and butter over low heat until butter melts and milk reaches 105-110°F (40-43°C) using your thermometer.
step 3: Combine wet and dry ingredientsAdd the warm milk mixture, beaten egg, honey, and oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a dough hook or stand mixer on low speed until a shaggy dough forms. Increase speed to medium and knead for 5-7 mins until smooth and elastic.
step 4: First risePlace the dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
step 5: Prepare the fillingWhile the dough rises, cream together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until smooth.
step 6: Shape the cakePunch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
step 7: Roll and shapeStarting from a long edge, roll up the dough tightly, jelly-roll style, enclosing the filling. Pinch the seam to seal. Form the dough into a ring, pinching the ends together to form a circle. Place the ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
step 8: Second riseCover the dough loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 45 mins, or until almost doubled in size.
step 9: Preheat the ovenPreheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
step 10: Optional egg washFor a golden brown crust, brush the dough with a beaten egg.
step 11: BakeBake the cake for 25-30 mins, or until golden brown. Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the cake. It should reach 190°F-195°F (88°C-91°C).
step 12: Cool slightlyLet the cake cool on a wire rack for 10 mins before glazing.
step 13: Make the glazeWhile the cake cools, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
step 14: Glaze and decorateDrizzle the glaze over the cooled cake. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars.
step 15: Hide the babyBefore serving, hide the plastic baby figurine inside the cake. Whoever finds the baby in their slice is traditionally crowned the "King" or "Queen" of the celebration!
- Ensure your milk is warm enough to activate the yeast, but not too hot to kill it.
- If the dough feels sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes manageable.
- Don't over-rise the dough, as it can become difficult to shape.
- Let the cake cool slightly before glazing, so the glaze doesn't melt and run off.
- You can substitute the cream cheese filling with other options like cinnamon sugar, chocolate ganache, or almond paste.
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