King Cake

introduction

King Cake is a sweet braided or ring-shaped cake. It is soft, filled with cream cheese, and topped with a glaze and colorful sanding sugar. This cake is a fun treat for parties and holidays. If you like sweet holiday breads, also see our cherry chip cake guide for another easy cake idea.

why make this recipe

• It is soft and creamy inside.
• It uses simple ingredients you likely have.
• It looks bright and festive with purple, green, and gold sugar.
• You can make it for a family snack or a small party.

how to make King Cake

Make the dough, let it rise, fill with cream cheese, shape into a ring, and bake. Work on a floured surface and handle the dough gently so it stays light. To try a quick or different sweet bread idea, you can also check banana bread with pancake mix for an easy bake.

Ingredients :

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk (for glaze)
• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for decorating

Directions :

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter until warm. Stir in yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes. Add to the flour mixture along with eggs and vanilla. Knead until smooth.
2. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
3. Roll out dough on a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread cream cheese filling on top. Roll into a log and shape into a ring.
4. Place on a baking sheet and let rise for another 30 minutes.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Mix powdered sugar and milk for glaze and drizzle over the cooled cake.
7. Sprinkle with sanding sugar in Mardi Gras colors. Enjoy!

how to serve King Cake

Slice the cake and serve at room temperature. It goes well with coffee or tea. If you follow the tradition, hide a small trinket or plastic baby inside the cake before baking or inside after slicing so one diner finds it.

how to store King Cake

• Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
• For longer storage, wrap well and refrigerate up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• You can freeze slices wrapped tight for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

tips to make King Cake

• Warm the milk and butter until just warm to the touch, not hot, so it does not kill the yeast.
• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for best texture.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling.
• If you want more glaze, add a little more milk to the powdered sugar.
• For more simple cooking tips, see easy recipes and cooking tips.

variation (if any)

• Fill with cinnamon sugar instead of cream cheese for a cinnamon swirl cake.
• Add chopped nuts or raisins to the filling.
• Make smaller individual rings for single servings.
• Use colored glaze instead of sanding sugar for a smooth finish.

FAQs

Q: Can I make the dough in a stand mixer?
A: Yes. Use the dough hook and mix until smooth and elastic.

Q: Can I skip the rise time?
A: No. Rising gives the cake its light, soft texture.

Q: How do I tell when it is done baking?
A: The cake should be golden brown and sound hollow when you tap the bottom. A thermometer should read about 190°F (88°C) in the center.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: You can swap milk and butter with dairy-free versions and use dairy-free cream cheese.

Q: How long does the glaze set?
A: The glaze sets in 10–20 minutes at room temperature.

Chef Carol

King Cake

A festive and sweet braided cake filled with cream cheese and decorated with colorful sanding sugar, perfect for celebrations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 300

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk warm
• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 pieces eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Filling and Glaze

• 1 cup cream cheese softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk for glaze
• 3 tablespoons sanding sugar purple, green, and gold for decorating

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
2. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter until warm. Stir in yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture along with eggs and vanilla. Knead until smooth.

Rising

1. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Shaping and Baking

1. Roll out dough on a floured surface into a rectangle.
2. Spread cream cheese filling on top.
3. Roll into a log and shape into a ring.
4. Place on a baking sheet and let rise for another 30 minutes.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Finishing Touches

1. Mix powdered sugar and milk for glaze and drizzle over the cooled cake.
2. Sprinkle with sanding sugar in Mardi Gras colors.

Notes

Slice the cake and serve at room temperature. It goes well with coffee or tea. For tradition, hide a small trinket or plastic baby inside the cake before baking or inside after slicing.