King Cake Traditional New Orleans Recipe
Celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras with this Traditional New Orleans King Cake recipe, a festive and flavorful showstopper! Featuring a soft, buttery dough infused with warm nutmeg and layered with a sweet cinnamon-brown sugar filling, this iconic dessert is as delicious as it is dazzling. Topped with a velvety vanilla glaze and sprinkled with vibrant purple, green, and gold sanding sugar, it perfectly captures the essence of this beloved celebration. Plus, a hidden plastic baby figurine adds an extra touch of fun and tradition—just be sure to let your guests know! With straightforward steps for kneading, shaping, and decorating, this recipe is perfect for novice and experienced bakers alike. Whether you're hosting a Mardi Gras party or simply craving a taste of New Orleans, this festive King Cake is sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 0.25 cup Warm water
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Nutmeg (ground)
- 2 large Eggs
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons Milk (for glaze)
- 3 tablespoons Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
- 1 piece Plastic baby figurine (optional)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until it is steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat and stir in granulated sugar and butter until melted. Let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk mixture, yeast mixture, 2 cups of the flour, salt, and nutmeg. Beat in the eggs one at a time, until smooth.
Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of flour to the mixture, kneading until a soft and elastic dough forms. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning to coat all surfaces. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
While the dough is rising, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl for the filling. Set aside.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 10x16 inches.
Spread the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll the dough into a log, starting on the long side. Pinch the seam to seal.
Shape the dough into a ring and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pinch the ends together to seal the ring. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the King Cake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
To prepare the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk together in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Decorate the cake with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar. If using a plastic baby figurine, insert it into the bottom of the cake before serving (warn guests about the figurine!).
Slice and serve to celebrate Mardi Gras!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
362 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 5.8 g | 7% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.3 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 43 mg | 14% | |
| Sodium | 188 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 70.6 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.6 g | ||
| Protein | 6.4 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 52 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 121 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
