introduction
This Traditional King Cake Recipe for Mardi Gras makes a soft, sweet ring bread with cream cheese filling and bright icing. It is a fun treat for parties and for Mardi Gras day. If you like rich holiday breads and want more ideas, see traditional easy dishes for simple, tasty options.
why make this recipe
Make this recipe to share with friends and family. The cake looks festive with purple, green, and gold. The cream cheese filling adds a smooth, rich taste. It also keeps well and feeds a group.
how to make Traditional King Cake Recipe for Mardi Gras
This section explains the steps in plain words. Follow the Directions section below for step-by-step details. Work on a clean surface and have all ingredients ready. For ideas on what to serve with the cake, you can check pairing tips for a gourmet experience to inspire drink or side choices.
- Mix the yeast in warm milk and wait for foam.
- Stir dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and knead until smooth.
- Let the dough rise until doubled.
- Make the cream cheese filling and keep it cold.
- Roll the dough, add the filling, seal, and shape into a ring.
- Let rise again, then bake until golden brown.
- Cool, ice in three colors, and add the colored sugar. Hide the plastic baby in the cake.
Ingredients :
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- 2 packets active dry yeast (4½ teaspoons)
- ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- Purple, green, and gold food coloring
- Colored sugar sprinkles in purple, green, and gold
- 1 plastic baby
Directions :
- Mix the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in yeast mixture, melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 2 hours until doubled in size.
- Beat together cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.
- Punch down dough and roll into a 30×10 inch rectangle. Spread cream cheese filling down the center lengthwise. Fold dough over filling and pinch seam closed. Form into a ring and pinch ends together. Transfer to a greased baking sheet.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely.
- Mix powdered sugar with milk to make icing. Divide into three bowls and color purple, green, and gold. Drizzle over cooled cake in alternating sections. Sprinkle with colored sugar immediately. Push plastic baby into bottom of cake.
how to serve Traditional King Cake Recipe for Mardi Gras
Cut the cake into slices. Serve with coffee, tea, or a warm drink. Make sure the cake is cool before you add the icing. Tell guests to watch for the plastic baby. For a fun table idea, pair the cake with a warm comfort dish or drink to welcome guests, such as a rich soup or hot cocoa; for a cozy recipe idea, see cheeseburger macaroni soup — the ultimate comfort food.
how to store Traditional King Cake Recipe for Mardi Gras
Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for 2 days. For longer storage, freeze slices in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
tips to make Traditional King Cake Recipe for Mardi Gras
- Warm the milk to about 105–110°F. Too hot will kill the yeast.
- Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it.
- The dough should be slightly sticky, not dry.
- Chill the cream cheese filling so it spreads easily.
- Add the plastic baby after baking and cooling to avoid melting.
- For more recipe ideas and simple tips, browse other easy dishes and ideas online at traditional easy dishes. (Note: this repeats a helpful resource in short form.)
variation (if any)
- Use almond or vanilla cream cheese filling for a different flavor.
- Make smaller individual rings for party servings.
- Add cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a crunchy finish.
- Swap cream cheese filling for a cinnamon sugar butter filling if you prefer.
FAQs
Q: Can I use active dry yeast straight from the packet?
A: Yes. Proof it in warm milk with a little sugar first. Wait for foam.
Q: What if my dough does not rise?
A: Check the yeast and the room temperature. A warm place helps the dough rise. If yeast is old, use new yeast.
Q: Can I make the cake the day before?
A: Yes. You can bake it a day ahead and ice it the morning you serve. Keep it wrapped to stay fresh.
Q: Where do I hide the plastic baby?
A: Push the baby into the bottom of the cake after baking. Tell guests so they know where it is.
Q: Is the icing safe for children?
A: Yes. Use food-safe color and sugar. Supervise small children with sprinkles.
Traditional King Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in yeast mixture, melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 2 hours until doubled in size.
- Beat together cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.
- Punch down dough and roll into a 30x10 inch rectangle. Spread cream cheese filling down the center lengthwise. Fold dough over filling and pinch seam closed. Form into a ring and pinch ends together. Transfer to a greased baking sheet.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely.
- Mix powdered sugar with milk to make icing. Divide into three bowls and color purple, green, and gold. Drizzle over cooled cake in alternating sections.
- Sprinkle with colored sugar immediately. Push plastic baby into bottom of cake.