King Cake Recipe

Short Description

King Cake is a traditional Mardi Gras dessert with a soft, brioche-style dough, a sweet cinnamon filling, and a festive glaze topped with purple, green, and gold sugar. Often baked with a hidden plastic baby inside, this cake symbolizes luck and prosperity for the person who finds it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Soft and fluffy brioche dough with a sweet filling
  • Perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations or festive gatherings
  • Topped with a colorful glaze in traditional New Orleans colors
  • Customizable fillings like cream cheese or pecans
  • A fun tradition—whoever finds the baby hosts next year’s party!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Dough:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Warm milk
  • Active dry yeast
  • Unsalted butter, melted
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

  • Brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter, softened

For the Glaze:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk or heavy cream
  • Vanilla extract

For Decoration:

  • Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
  • Plastic baby figurine (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  3. Add the yeast mixture and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
  4. Cover and let the dough rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Filling

  1. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until combined.

Step 3: Shape the King Cake

  1. Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 10×20 inches).
  2. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
  3. Roll the dough into a log, then shape it into a ring and pinch the ends together.
  4. Place on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Let cool before decorating.

Step 5: Make the Glaze and Decorate

  1. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  2. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
  3. Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar in sections.
  4. If using a plastic baby, insert it underneath the cake before serving.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 10–12 slices
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Variations

  • Cream Cheese Filling: Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla for a richer filling.
  • Pecan Praline King Cake: Add chopped pecans and caramel drizzle.
  • Chocolate King Cake: Spread Nutella or chocolate chips inside.
  • Mini King Cakes: Make smaller rings for individual servings.

Storage/Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
  • Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.

FAQs

What is a King Cake?

King Cake is a Mardi Gras tradition, typically a cinnamon-filled pastry ring topped with colored sugar.

Why is there a plastic baby inside?

The baby symbolizes luck and prosperity, and the person who finds it hosts next year’s King Cake party.

Can I use store-bought dough?

Yes! Crescent roll or brioche dough can be used as a shortcut.

What do the colors mean?

  • Purple: Justice
  • Green: Faith
  • Gold: Power

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate before baking.

Can I make a gluten-free King Cake?

Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend for the dough.

How do I keep the cake from drying out?

Store it in an airtight container and warm before serving.

Can I bake it without the plastic baby?

Yes! If serving to children, add the baby after baking to avoid melting.

What other flavors can I try?

Try apple cinnamon, raspberry jam, or almond filling for a twist.

Can I air-fry the King Cake?

Yes! Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes, checking halfway through.

Conclusion

King Cake is a delicious Mardi Gras tradition that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Whether you enjoy it with classic cinnamon filling, cream cheese, or pecans, this festive cake will bring joy to your celebration. Make it at home, share with friends, and let the good times roll!

Print

King Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

King Cake is a festive and delicious New Orleans-style Mardi Gras dessert, featuring a soft, sweet brioche dough swirled with cinnamon and topped with a colorful sugar glaze. Traditionally, a small plastic baby is hidden inside, symbolizing luck and prosperity for the person who finds it!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1012 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: New Orleans, Mardi Gras

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)

For the Filling:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)

For the Glaze:

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

  • Green, purple, and gold colored sugar
  • 1 small plastic baby (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. In a small bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
  3. Add eggs, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Make the Filling & Shape the Cake

  1. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter in a small bowl.
  2. Roll out the dough into a 10×20-inch rectangle.
  3. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
  4. Roll the dough lengthwise into a log, then shape it into an oval on a baking sheet.
  5. Pinch the ends together to seal. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.

3. Bake the King Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool before glazing.

4. Glaze & Decorate

  1. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a smooth glaze.
  2. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.
  3. Sprinkle with green, purple, and gold sugar for the classic Mardi Gras look.
  4. Hide the plastic baby inside the cake (optional).

5. Serve & Enjoy!

  1. Slice and enjoy! The person who finds the baby is responsible for bringing the next King Cake.

Notes

  • Shortcut Version: Use store-bought cinnamon roll dough and shape it into a ring.
  • Want more flavor? Add cream cheese filling for an extra decadent cake.
  • Storage: Cover and keep at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star