Description
This Easy Mardi Gras King Cake is a festive and delicious treat perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras. Made with a soft, cinnamon-sugar filled dough, topped with a sweet glaze and colorful sprinkles, this classic New Orleans pastry is sure to impress both family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
Filling Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter (for spreading)
Frosting and Decoration
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk or cream
- Colored sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes or until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, and half of the flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well, then gradually incorporate the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Filling: While the dough is rising, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
- Roll and Fill Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out into a large rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. Roll the dough tightly from one long edge to form a log.
- Shape Cake and Second Rise: Shape the rolled dough into an oval shape on a lined baking sheet. Cover and let it rise again for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the king cake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Make Frosting: Allow the cake to cool slightly. Meanwhile, mix powdered sugar with milk or cream until smooth and pourable.
- Decorate: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and decorate with colored sprinkles to finish.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Kneading the dough properly develops gluten for a soft, chewy texture.
- You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter if preferred; adjust salt accordingly.
- Use colored sprinkles in purple, green, and gold for a traditional Mardi Gras look.
- For added authenticity, hide a small plastic baby figurine inside the cake before the final roll, a classic Mardi Gras tradition.
