Fat Tuesday is different this year, but you can make the best of it with good food–like this quick and easy King Cake recipe for Mardi Gras!
King Cake with a baby Jesus for good luck!
WHAT IS KING CAKE?
King Cake is the first Mardi Gras dessert that I think of each year. It’s basically a circular coffee cake.
The King Cake tradition states that it was originally created as a gift for the Three Kings, at the end of Epiphany.
The plastic baby symbolizes baby Jesus, and it is said that whoever finds the King Cake baby in their slice will have good luck!
Gold, purple, and green King cake.
HOW TO MAKE A KING CAKE FOR MARDI GRAS
It isn’t Mardi Gras without King Cake! This festive, sweet treat is so much fun for the whole family to make and enjoy together!
Deliciously Festive King Cake Recipe
- Serves: 14-16
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
These are all the ingredients you will need to make a King Cake.
Ingredients Needed For A Festively Tasty King Cake
Here is everything you need to make your own Kin Cake for your at-home Mardi Gras festivities!
Cake:
- 1 packet (.25 ounce) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water, 110-115 degrees F
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 ½-4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk, warm 110-115 degrees F
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk, depending on consistency
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla
Decoration:
- mini plastic baby
- Colored sugar – purple, yellow and green
How To Make A Delicious King Cake
Add yeast and sugar into a bowl.
Step 1
Heat ¼ cup water to 100-110 degrees F.
Add yeast and sugar and hot water.
Step 2
Add yeast and sugar.
Step 3
Stir gently just to coat yeast.
Step 4
Let set to proof for 5-10 minutes or until bubbly.
Add sugar, butter, milk, eggs, salt, and 2 cups of flour.
Step 5
Add ¼ cup sugar, butter, milk, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour.
Beat the King Cake mix until it is smooth.
Step 6
Beat until smooth.
Gradually add flour to the King Cake mixture.
Step 7
Gradually add more flour until dough forms soft ball, it will be sticky.
Mix the dough until it becomes a soft ball.
Step 8
Turn dough onto floured surface and knead until dough is smooth and elastic.
Form your dough into a ball on a floured surface.
Step 9
Form into ball and place in greased bowl, turn dough over to coat other side.
Wrap the dough and let it sit for about an hour.
Step 10
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 45-60 minutes until dough is doubled in size.
Let your dough sit until double in size.
Step 11
Punch dough down and turn onto lightly floured surface.
Roll your dough out into a rectangle.
Step 12
Roll into rectangle 10×20 inches.
Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecan mixture before rolling the dough.
Making The King Cake Filling
Step 1
In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.
Step 2
Melt butter and add to mixture.
Step 3
Stir until well combined.
Step 4
Sprinkle evenly over dough leaving ½ inch around the edges.
Step 5
Prepare baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper.
Roll the dough until it is long.
Step 6
Roll dough beginning on the long side, jelly-roll style, pinch seam to seal.
Fit the dough on a pan and make 45-60 mins.
Step 7
Place on baking sheet and form a circle, pinching the edges together tightly.
Step 8
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 45-60 minutes or until almost double in size.
Step 9
About 20 minutes before rise is done, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 10
Bake 25-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 11
Cool on a wire rack.
Now make the glaze for this delicious King Cake.
King Cake Glaze Instructions
Step 1
In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and desired consistency.
Step 2
Spoon glaze onto cooled cake and add colored sugar for decoration.
Step 3
Don’t forget to add the baby inside!
This King Cake can be made so everyone can enjoy!
HOW TO MAKE A GLUTEN FREE KING CAKE
Gluten allergies and sensitivities don’t have to keep you from enjoying a yummy slice (0r two!) of King Cake.
To Make Gluten Free King Cake:
- Use gluten free all-purpose flour instead of regular all-purpose flour.
- Double check all of your other ingredients to make sure they are gluten free, to be safe!
You can make this King Cake vegan or gluten.
VEGAN KING CAKE
Vegan King Cake will take a little bit more work, as far as finding substitutions, but it’s totally doable!
To Make Vegan King Cake:
- Replace cow’s milk with a plant-based milk of your choice.
- Swap out traditional butter for a vegan butter.
- Use a plant-based egg replacer from the store instead of eggs.
Kids will have a blast making their own mask for Mardi Gras!
SUPER EASY KING CAKE RECIPE
This Mardi Gras King Cake always make me think of cinnamon rolls with all the cinnamon sugar, but they’re much different.
But if you don’t feel like dragging out the bowl of a stand mixer, paddle attachment, or purchasing gold sugar, most grocery stores have a traditional King Cake available if they have a bakery.
But there is something so special about making your own King Cake for your Mardi Gras celebration with delicious cream cheese filling.
MARDI GRAS CRAFTS, RECIPES, & ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Celebrate Mardi Gras at home with your family with tons of fun crafts and activities you can share while making memories!
Have you ever baked King Cake before? Share your favorite tips!
