Description
This Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe is a festive and delicious treat perfect for celebrating Fat Tuesday or any occasion. With a sweet cinnamon filling and colorful sugar topping, this homemade king cake is a must-try dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 packets active dry yeast (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 5 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Colored sugars in purple, green, and gold
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm milk, yeast, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Let sit until foamy. Add remaining sugar, melted butter, egg yolks, and vanilla. Mix in flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Knead until a soft dough forms.
- Rise and Fill: Let dough rise until doubled. Roll out, spread filling, and roll into a ring.
- Bake: Let rise, then bake until golden brown.
- Glaze and Decorate: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze. Spread over cake and sprinkle with colored sugars.
Notes
- You can hide a small plastic baby or dried bean in the cake after baking for Mardi Gras tradition.
- For a shortcut, use refrigerated crescent roll dough instead of homemade dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg