Embrace the spirit of Mardi Gras with this traditional King Cake, a festive and colorful yeast bread that features a sweet cream cheese filling and is adorned with the iconic Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. This cake is a staple during Carnival season and is perfect for bringing a piece of New Orleans to any celebration.
Ingredients
Dough:
- Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup, melted
- Lukewarm Milk: 3/4 cup
- Unbleached All-Purpose Flour: 3 1/2 cups
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup
- Nonfat Dry Milk Powder: 1/4 cup
- Fine Sea Salt: 1 1/4 teaspoons
- Instant Yeast: 2 1/2 teaspoons
- Vanilla Extract (or Bergamot Extract, or Fiori di Sicilia): 2 teaspoons
- Eggs + 1 Egg Yolk: 2 eggs + 1 yolk (reserve white for later use)
Filling:
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 tablespoons
- Large Egg: 1, lightly beaten
- Vanilla Extract (or Bergamot Extract, or Fiori di Sicilia): 2 teaspoons
Glaze:
- Confectioners’ Sugar: 2 cups
- Salt: Pinch
- Bergamot Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Milk or Cream: 2-3 tablespoons
Decoration:
- Purple, Green, and Gold Sanding Sugars
Directions
- Make the Dough:
- Combine all dough ingredients in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Knead until smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, flour, egg, and extract until smooth.
- Shape the Cake:
- Roll dough into a 24×6-inch rectangle. Spread filling down the center.
- Fold dough over the filling, seal with egg wash, and form into a ring.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour.
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Brush cake with egg wash and bake for 20 minutes. Tent with foil and bake for another 30 minutes.
- Glaze and Decorate:
- Mix confectioners’ sugar, salt, extract, and milk to make the glaze.
- Drizzle glaze over cooled cake and immediately decorate with colored sugars.
Tips
- Ingredient Temperature: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Baby Figurine: If using a plastic baby figurine, insert it after the cake is baked and cooled.
- Flavor Variations: Substitute Fiori di Sicilia or citrus extracts for a different flavor profile.
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Rising Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
Yield: Serves 12
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American (New Orleans)
Conclusion
This Mardi Gras King Cake is not just a dessert, it’s a celebration in itself! With its rich, bready texture, sweet cream cheese filling, and vibrant sugar topping, it captures the essence of Mardi Gras festivity and joy. Perfect for a party or a special treat, this King Cake is sure to be a hit and might even bring good luck to whoever finds the baby hidden inside!