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Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews

Celebrate Mardi Gras with this classic King Cake recipe featuring a soft, cinnamon-spiced dough braided into a ring, topped with a colorful cream cheese glaze in purple, green, and gold. Perfect for festive gatherings, this traditional cake offers a delightful balance of sweet, creamy, and spiced flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 4 ounces sour cream
  • 4 ounces Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 envelope active dry yeast (1/4 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
  • 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (about 1/2 cup more if needed)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened and divided in half)

Filling

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Glaze

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cream cheese (softened)
  • 4 tablespoons milk (plus extra if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Purple gel food coloring
  • Green gel food coloring
  • Gold gel food coloring
  • Golden sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dough Mixture: In a medium saucepan over low heat, stir together sour cream, Greek yogurt, white sugar, butter, and salt. Heat until the butter melts, stirring often. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool to about 110°F.
  2. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast with warm water and the additional white sugar. Stir to combine and let it stand for 5 minutes until frothy.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the cooled sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, lightly beaten egg, and 1 cup of flour.
  4. Knead Dough: Start kneading at medium speed until ingredients begin to combine, then reduce to low speed. Add another cup of flour and mix at medium speed. Reduce speed to low and add the remaining cup of flour. If dough is too sticky, add up to 1/2 cup more flour. Knead at low speed for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with oil, place the dough inside, cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  6. Divide and Roll Dough: Divide the risen dough in half. Roll each half into a long rectangle shape.
  7. Prepare Filling: Spread half of the softened butter evenly over each dough rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough rectangles.
  8. Form Logs: Starting from the long side, roll each rectangle tightly into a log.
  9. Shape Cake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the two dough logs seam side down on the sheet, parallel to each other and close together. Pinch the top edges together and twist the two logs around each other to create a braided look, then bring the ends together to form a ring, sealing the ends well.
  10. Second Rise: Cover the shaped cake and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until nearly doubled in size.
  11. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  12. Bake Cake: Bake the King Cake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  13. Cool Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.
  14. Prepare Glaze: In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk.
  15. Color Glaze: Divide the glaze into three smaller bowls. Add purple gel food coloring to one, green to the second, and gold to the third. Stir each to combine thoroughly.
  16. Glaze Cake: Pour the colored glazes evenly over the cooled cake in alternating bands of purple, green, and gold. Immediately sprinkle with golden sprinkles to decorate.
  17. Set Glaze and Serve: Allow the glaze to settle and harden before slicing into 12 servings and enjoying the festive cake.

Notes

  • If dough feels too sticky during kneading, gradually add flour, but avoid adding too much to keep the cake soft.
  • Use a warm, draft-free area for dough rising to ensure proper yeast activation.
  • The colorful glaze is key for the traditional Mardi Gras appearance; adjust food coloring amounts to achieve vibrant hues.
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  • Optionally, hide a small plastic baby inside the cake before baking for the traditional King Cake surprise.

Keywords: Mardi Gras King Cake, King Cake, Mardi Gras dessert, cinnamon cake, braided cake, cream cheese glaze, festive cake

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/mardi-gras-king-cake-recipe/