Festive Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe for a Cheerful Celebration

Celebrate the vibrant spirit of New Orleans with a Mardi Gras king cake that brings festive flavors to your table.

This colorful dessert captures the essence of Louisiana’s most beloved carnival tradition.

Sweet cinnamon swirls dance through soft, enriched dough, creating a delightful treat that sparkles with purple, green, and gold sugars.

The rich history of this cake winds through generations of jubilant celebrations.

Bakers across the Gulf Coast carefully craft each king cake as a symbol of community and joy.

Every slice promises a delicious adventure that connects you to the heart of Mardi Gras revelry.

Gather your ingredients and let the good times roll with this beloved Southern classic.

Tips for Colorful and Soft Mardi Gras King Cake

• Select active dry yeast that's recently purchased and not expired for optimal rising and flavor.
• Place dough in warm, draft-free area around 80-85°F to ensure proper expansion and soft texture.
• Dust baking sheet with cornmeal or use parchment paper to help cake release easily and maintain crisp bottom.
• Spread filling evenly, leaving small border around edges to prevent leaking during twisting and baking.
• Insert plastic baby after baking to avoid melting, and warn guests about potential choking hazard when serving.

Unique Mardi Gras King Cake Twists

• Gluten-Free King Cake: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend of rice flour, almond flour, and xanthan gum for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan King Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and coconut cream instead of dairy ingredients for a completely plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar King Cake: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet flavor profile.
• Nut-Free Cream Cheese Filling: Replace almond or pecan elements with sunflower seed filling or coconut-based cream cheese alternative for nut allergy sufferers.

Serving King Cake for Celebration

• Festive Party Centerpiece: Showcase the King Cake as a stunning table centerpiece during Mardi Gras celebrations, surrounded by vibrant purple, green, and gold decorations.
• Slice and Share Tradition: Cut the cake at a party and let guests search for the hidden baby figurine, with the finder considered lucky and responsible for hosting next year's celebration.
• Beverage Pairing Delight: Serve alongside classic New Orleans cocktails like Sazerac or Hurricane, creating an authentic Louisiana-style dessert experience that complements the cake's rich flavors.
• Cultural Conversation Starter: Use the cake as an opportunity to discuss Mardi Gras history, explaining the significance of colors and traditions to guests while enjoying this delicious treat.

Storage Tips for King Cake Freshness

• Store covered cake in airtight container for 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying.
• Wrap cake securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Place in freezer-safe container to protect from freezer burn.
• Move frozen cake to refrigerator overnight. Let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving to restore texture.
• Warm cake at 300F for 10-15 minutes. Cover loosely with foil to prevent excessive browning. Check internal temperature reaches 165F for food safety.

FAQs

• What is the significance of the baby figurine in King Cake?

The baby figurine is a traditional Mardi Gras symbol. Whoever finds the baby in their slice is responsible for hosting the next King Cake party or bringing the cake to the next gathering.

• Is King Cake only eaten during Mardi Gras?

While traditionally associated with Mardi Gras, King Cake is now enjoyed throughout the Carnival season, which runs from January 6 (Epiphany) to Fat Tuesday.

• Can I make King Cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight before the final rise and baking. This can help develop deeper flavors and make the process more convenient.

Mardi Gras King Cake Flavor Adventure

• Dive into a vibrant Mardi Gras tradition that transforms your kitchen into a colorful carnival of flavors and fun.
• Switch between cinnamon and cream cheese fillings, letting your taste buds explore delicious variations that keep everyone excited.
• Impress friends and family with a stunning, twisted cake that's not just delicious but also packed with festive New Orleans spirit.
• Engage everyone in hiding the traditional baby figurine and decorating with bright, playful colored sugars, making baking a joyful group activity.

What You’ll Need for Mardi Gras King Cake

• Active Dry Yeast: A key ingredient that helps the dough rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and supports its rising process.
• Sugar: Provides food for the yeast to help it become foamy and active.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cake that gives it body and texture.
• Milk: Adds richness and helps create a soft dough.
• Butter: Provides flavor and contributes to the cake's tender crumb.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the dough.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create sweetness and depth of flavor in the filling.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy note to the filling.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and creamy filling with a tangy flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling and helps create a smooth texture.
• Colored Sugar: Provides the traditional Mardi Gras festive look.

• Baby Figurine: Traditional hidden surprise in the King Cake.
• Frosting Ingredients: Add a sweet finish and help attach the colored sugar.

Tools for Crafting King Cake at Home

• Stand Mixer or Dough Hook: Essential for kneading dough efficiently and creating smooth texture.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing yeast mixture, dough, and fillings.
• Rolling Pin: Crucial for rolling out dough into perfect rectangles.
• Baking Sheet: Provides flat surface for shaping and baking king cake.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Helps blend fillings and frosting smoothly.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping bowls and spreading fillings.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Piping Bag or Spoon: Helps drizzle frosting evenly over cake.

Steps to Shape and Bake King Cake

Step 1: Activate Magical Yeast

Warm milk and butter together in a saucepan.

In a separate bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.

Allow the mixture to become wonderfully foamy, which takes about 5-10 minutes.

This step awakens the yeast and prepares it for delicious action.

Step 2: Create Dough Foundation

Blend the foamy yeast mixture with remaining sugar, eggs, vanilla, and flour.

Knead the dough using a dough hook for 5 minutes or by hand for 8-10 minutes until a soft, elastic dough emerges.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Step 3: Prepare Delectable Fillings

Create two filling options:

• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Softened butter

• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Butter
• Vanilla extract

Blend each filling separately until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Shape The Celebratory Cake

Divide the risen dough into two equal portions.

Roll each section into a 10×16-inch rectangle.

Spread chosen filling across the dough, then roll into long logs.

Twist the logs together and shape into an oval.

Allow the shaped cake to rise again for 30-45 minutes.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes until it turns golden brown.

The internal temperature should reach 190-195°F.

Remove and let cool completely.

Step 6: Decorate With Festive Flair

Whip up a smooth frosting.

Hide a traditional baby figurine inside the cake.

Drizzle frosting generously over the cooled cake.

Sprinkle with vibrant colored sugars while the frosting is still wet.

Celebrate your magnificent Mardi Gras King Cake!

Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

King cake delights with New Orleans’ festive Mardi Gras tradition, blending sweet dough and colorful sugars. Louisiana bakers celebrate carnival season with this spirited, cinnamon-swirled pastry you’ll adore.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 to 5.5 cups all-purpose flour (705–776 grams)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 2/3 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast

Flavoring and Filling Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (68 grams)
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon salted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast by dissolving in lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar. Allow mixture to become frothy and bubbly, approximately 5-7 minutes at room temperature.
2. Combine warm milk and melted butter, then incorporate yeast mixture. Gradually fold in flour, eggs, and vanilla, creating a smooth, elastic dough. Knead thoroughly until texture becomes silky and uniform, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to lightly greased container, cover with damp cloth. Let rise in warm environment until volume doubles, roughly 1-1.5 hours.
4. Prepare filling by blending cinnamon, sugars, and softened butter into homogeneous mixture. Separately, whip cream cheese with powdered sugar until creamy and consistent.
5. Divide proofed dough into two equal portions. Roll each section into rectangular shape, spreading selected filling evenly across surface.
6. Carefully roll dough into cylindrical shape, then twist together to create braided appearance. Form into distinctive oval ring, ensuring smooth connection points.
7. Allow shaped cake to proof again for 30-40 minutes in draft-free location until slightly puffy.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake cake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190°F.
9. Once cooled, conceal plastic baby figurine within cake. Drizzle with vanilla glaze and generously sprinkle with festive colored sugars.
10. Let frosting set completely before serving, creating traditional Mardi Gras presentation.

Notes

• Customize Yeast Activation Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast performance, preventing killing or under-activation of the yeast.
• Dough Consistency Check knead the dough until smooth and elastic, avoiding over-mixing which can make the cake tough and dense.
• Filling Variations Experiment with alternative fillings like fruit preserves, chocolate, or nutella to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining traditional cake structure.
• Temperature Precision Use a kitchen thermometer to accurately check cake’s internal temperature, guaranteeing perfect baking and preventing underdone or dry results.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Creole/Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 40mg