Traditional Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
How to Make King Cake: A Traditional Mardi Gras Recipe
Learn how to make a delicious King Cake from scratch with this easy, traditional recipe. Perfect for Mardi Gras parties or any special gathering, this King Cake is made with a light, airy yeast dough, filled with a comforting cinnamon filling, and topped with vibrant colored sugar. Beginners through experts, this King Cake recipe is perfect for all.
Step #1: Make the Dough for King Cake
Begin by combining melted butter and sugar in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and remaining sugar, and let it rest for around five minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.
Then combine the two mixtures in a large bowl with the egg and 1 cup of flour. Add the remaining flour slowly, stirring until the dough is pliable. The dough should be sticky but not sticky.
Step #2: Knead the Dough – Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add extra flour as needed to prevent stickiness.
Step #3: First Dough Rise – Place the dough in a well-greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1 hour, or until the dough doubled in volume.
Step #4: Make the Filling – While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by mixing melted butter, cinnamon spice, and sugar in a tiny bowl. This will create the perfect sweet and spicy filling for your King Cake.
Step #5: Roll out the Dough and Fill – Once the dough has risen, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle. Roll out the dough into a 14×18-inch rectangle. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Roll the dough up into a cylinder and pinch seams together.
Step #6: Second Dough Rise – Put the rolled dough on a baking sheet covered with parchment. Shape into an oval by folding in the ends and closing them with a pinch. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and a towel, and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Step #7: Bake the Cake – Preheat oven to 375°. Bake King Cake approximately 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool cake 20 minutes minimum prior to icing and decorating.
Step #8: Decorate the Cake – For the final touch, whisk together the icing ingredients and pour the glaze slowly over the top of the cake. Before the icing sets, sprinkle on alternating strips of colored sugar or sprinkles to create the festive Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold.
