King Cake

why make this recipe

King Cake is a fun, sweet bread that people share at parties. It has a soft dough, a cinnamon-sugar filling, and bright purple, green, and yellow sugar on top. Make it to celebrate, to share with friends, or to try a simple, warm treat from home.

introduction

This King Cake recipe is easy and uses simple steps for a soft, tasty ring. If you like other sweet breads, you might also enjoy an apple and raisin cake recipe as another home-baked treat.

how to make King Cake

1. Make the yeast mix: put warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Wait 5–10 minutes until it is foamy.
2. Mix dry ingredients: in a large bowl, stir flour and salt. Make a well in the center.
3. Add wet ingredients: pour the yeast mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla into the well. Stir until combined.
4. Knead the dough: turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead about 5 minutes until smooth.
5. First rise: put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
6. Shape the cake: preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread butter and sprinkle sugar. Roll tightly into a log and pinch the ends to form a ring.
7. Second rise: place the ring on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise 30 minutes.
8. Bake: bake about 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
9. Cool and ice: let the cake cool. Mix powdered sugar and 1–2 tablespoons milk for icing. Drizzle the icing and sprinkle colored (purple, green, yellow) sugar.

Ingredients :

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk, warmed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (purple, green, and yellow)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk for icing

Directions :

1. In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a separate large bowl, mix flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, spread with butter, and sprinkle with sugar. Roll tightly into a log and shape it into a ring, pinching the ends together.
6. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
7. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool.
9. Mix powdered sugar and milk for icing. Drizzle over the cake and sprinkle with colored sugar.

how to serve King Cake

Cut the cake into slices and serve at room temperature. You can warm a slice for a few seconds in the microwave. Serve with coffee, tea, or milk. Hide a small plastic baby inside the cake before baking if you want to follow the traditional way (wrap the baby in foil first).

how to store King Cake

Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it well and put it in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can freeze slices in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

tips to make King Cake

• Use milk that is warm, not hot, to help the yeast activate.
• Knead until the dough is smooth but not sticky. Add small flour amounts if needed.
• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place. A slightly warm oven (turned off) works well.
• Color the sugar by mixing a small amount of food coloring with granulated sugar, then let dry before sprinkling.
• If you hide a baby in the cake, add it after baking into a slice or wrap it well before placing inside.

variation (if any)

• Fill the roll with cinnamon-sugar, cream cheese, or fruit jam for different flavors.
• Make small individual rings instead of one large cake.
• Add orange or lemon zest to the dough for a citrus note.
• Use almond extract in place of vanilla for a different taste.

FAQs

Q: Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
A: Yes. If you use instant yeast, you can mix it with the dry ingredients and skip the 5–10 minute proof step. Follow package directions for amounts.

Q: How do I make the colored sugar?
A: Put a small amount of granulated sugar in a bowl. Add a drop of food coloring and mix until the color spreads. Let it dry on a tray for a few minutes before using.

Q: Why did my dough not rise?
A: The yeast may have been old or the milk too hot or too cold. Use fresh yeast and warm milk (about 100–110°F / 37–43°C).

Q: Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
A: Yes. Use a plant milk and a dairy-free butter or oil. The texture will be similar but the flavor may change slightly.

King Cake

• Author: arianarecipes
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A fun, sweet bread perfect for celebrations, with a soft dough and cinnamon-sugar filling, topped with vibrant colored sugars.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk, warmed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (purple, green, and yellow)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk for icing

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Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a separate large bowl, mix flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, spread with butter, and sprinkle with sugar. Roll tightly into a log and shape it into a ring, pinching the ends together.
6. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
7. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool.
9. Mix powdered sugar and milk for icing. Drizzle over the cake and sprinkle with colored sugar.

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Notes

Serve at room temperature or warm. Optional: hide a small plastic baby inside the cake before baking for tradition.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 60mg