Traditional King Cake
Celebrate Mardi Gras in style with this Traditional King Cake recipe, a festive and flavor-packed classic that’s sure to impress! Made with a soft, buttery brioche dough and bursting with warm cinnamon-sugar filling, this crown-shaped dessert gets its iconic look from vibrant purple, green, and gold sugar topping. The cake is finished with a luscious vanilla-infused glaze and can even hide a surprise plastic baby figurine for a fun and authentic twist. With its flaky layers, rich sweetness, and striking presentation, this King Cake is perfect for your Mardi Gras party or any special occasion. Easy-to-follow steps and common pantry ingredients make it a joy to bake, while the traditional charm ensures it’s a centerpiece everyone will remember.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 0.25 cup warm water
- 2 large eggs
- 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.75 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons whole milk (for icing)
- 3 tablespoons colored sugar (purple, green, gold)
- 1 optional plastic baby figurine
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the whole milk, granulated sugar, and butter. Heat over low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm.
In a small bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk mixture, yeast mixture, eggs, all-purpose flour, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
While the dough rises, mix the ground cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl to prepare the filling.
Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll into a rectangle roughly 10x20 inches.
Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
Starting on the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seams to seal.
Form the roll into a ring, tucking one end into the other. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes or until puffy.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the King Cake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely.
To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth.
Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold colored sugar.
If desired, hide the plastic baby figurine by inserting it into the underside of the cake before serving.
Slice and serve. Enjoy your Traditional King Cake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
415 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.1 g | 8% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.4 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 44 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 189 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 83.8 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 47.3 g | ||
| Protein | 6.9 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 57 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 135 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.
