King Cake Recipe – A Sweet Mardi Gras Tradition

King Cake is a special treat enjoyed during Mardi Gras, especially in Louisiana.

It’s a soft, sweet, and slightly spiced cake shaped into a ring, symbolizing unity and celebration.

The cake is decorated with colorful sugars in purple, green, and gold, each representing justice, faith, and power.

One of the most exciting parts of King Cake is the hidden surprise inside—a small plastic baby or a bean.

Finding the baby in your slice means you get to bring the next King Cake to the party! This recipe is easy to follow and brings the joy of Mardi Gras right to your kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons dry yeast
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup melted butter
• 5 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• A pinch of nutmeg

For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

For Decoration:

• Purple, green, and gold decorative sugars
• A small plastic baby or a bean (to hide in the cake after baking)

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Begin by warming the milk until it is just slightly warm to the touch.

Pour it into a mixing bowl and stir in the sugar.

Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about five minutes until it turns frothy.

This step is important because it activates the yeast, which helps the dough rise and become soft and fluffy.

Once the yeast is ready, add the melted butter, beaten egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.

Mix everything well until smooth. In another bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Slowly add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients while stirring continuously.

Keep mixing until a dough forms.

When the mixture is too thick to stir, transfer it to a floured surface and begin kneading it with your hands.

Knead for about ten minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.

This step develops the gluten in the flour, giving the cake its light and airy texture.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Once the dough is kneaded, place it in a large greased bowl and cover it with a clean cloth.

Let it sit in a warm place for about an hour to an hour and a half, or until it doubles in size.

This rising process allows the yeast to work, making the dough fluffy and soft.

If your kitchen is cool, you can place the bowl inside an oven with just the oven light on, which provides a slightly warm environment perfect for rising dough.

After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air.

This helps the cake bake evenly and prevents large air pockets from forming.

Now, the dough is ready to be shaped into its traditional ring.

Step 3: Shape the Cake

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, about ten inches wide and twenty inches long.

If you’d like to add extra flavor, you can spread a layer of cinnamon sugar or a light cream cheese filling over the dough before shaping it.

Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a log, similar to how you would roll a jelly roll.

Once rolled, carefully bring the ends together to form a ring, pinching them to seal the shape.

Place the ring onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will help keep the cake from sticking and make cleanup easier.

At this point, let the dough rest again for about forty-five minutes.

This second rise helps the cake expand slightly before baking, ensuring a soft and tender texture.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough is finishing its second rise.

Once the cake has slightly puffed up, place it in the oven and bake for about twenty-five to thirty minutes.

Keep an eye on it to make sure it turns a beautiful golden brown without overbaking.

Once fully baked, remove the King Cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.

It is important to let the cake cool before decorating, as a warm cake can cause the icing to melt and run off.

Once cooled, take a small plastic baby or a bean and gently insert it into the bottom of the cake.

This hidden surprise is one of the most fun traditions of King Cake, as it determines who gets to bring the next cake to the party.

Step 5: Decorate the Cake

Now comes the fun part—decorating! To make the icing, mix powdered sugar, condensed milk, and fresh lemon juice in a bowl until smooth.

If the icing is too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out; if it is too runny, add more powdered sugar until you reach the perfect consistency.

Spread the icing over the top of the cooled cake, allowing it to drizzle slightly down the sides.

Before the icing sets, immediately sprinkle purple, green, and gold sugars on top in sections.

These colors are essential to the traditional look of a King Cake and make it festive and eye-catching.

Enjoy Your Homemade King Cake!

Your King Cake is now ready to be served! Slice into the cake and enjoy the soft, lightly spiced bread with its sweet icing and crunchy sugar topping.

Whoever finds the baby or bean in their slice is the lucky one who gets to provide the next King Cake!

This homemade version is simple enough for beginners and just as delicious as the ones found in New Orleans bakeries.

Whether you are celebrating Mardi Gras or just want a fun and tasty treat, this King Cake recipe is a must-try.