Best King Cake Recipe

Course: Cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 20

Rising time: 1

Total Time: 1 50

Servings: people

Calories: 442kcal

Author: Becky Hardin - Easy Dessert Recipes

This bright and colorful King Cake is a traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras recipe. Made with a rich brioche dough and decorated with colored sugar, it's so perfectly festive!

Print Recipe

Equipment

Baking Sheet
Kitchen Scale (optional)
Instant Read Thermometer (optional)

Ingredients

2¼ teaspoons instant yeast 7 grams (1 envelope)
¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup warm water 227 grams, about 110°F
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams, melted (¼ stick)
2¾ cups all-purpose flour 330 grams
1 tablespoon vegetable oil 13 grams

For the Filling

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams, melted (¼ stick)
½ cup brown sugar 107 grams
¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 6 grams

For the Topping

1 large egg 50 grams, whisked, for egg wash
1¼ cup powdered sugar 140 grams
¼ cup milk 57 grams
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
Sprinkles green, purple, and gold

Instructions

In a small bowl, add the yeast, sugar, salt, and warm water. Gently stir together and allow it to sit while the yeast blooms and becomes foamy, about 5 minutes.
2¼ teaspoons instant yeast, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 cup warm water
Once it’s foam-like, transfer the yeast mixture to a large glass mixing bowl, and add in the melted butter and flour. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir together until the dough becomes flaky. Remove from the bowl and place on a clean, lightly-floured work surface. Knead until the dough is soft and smooth, adding up to an additional ¼ cup (30g) of flour if needed.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
Place the dough back into a large bowl lightly coated with vegetable oil, rolling the dough to coat it with the oil. Place a warm and damp dish towel over the bowl and let the dough sit for about 30 minutes to rise.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling: In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Stir in the brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon. Set the bowl aside when done.
½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Once the dough has risen to about double in size, punch down the dough to release the air. Place the dough on a clean work surface and knead again for about one minute. Roll the dough into a long rectangle shape, about 14-16 inches in length and 9 inches in width. Cut into three equal strips and spoon filling mixture over each strip. Stretch each strip if necessary so they are the same length. Pinch each seam together.
Gently, braid the strips and then form into a circle shape, pinching off the ends, and tuck them under. Place the bread onto a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in a warm, sheltered area away from cool air or breezes so the dough can continue to rise for 30-45 minutes.
While the braided dough is rising, preheat the oven to 350°F. Once the dough has risen, gently brush with the whisked egg wash, and then place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top of the bread begins to turn golden brown.
1 large egg
While the cake is cooling, prepare the icing drizzle by combining the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Stir the ingredients until it is a white icing.
1¼ cup powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Drizzle over the cake and while the icing is still wet, sprinkle the individual colors of sprinkles or sugars over the cake.
Sprinkles
If you want to hide a “baby” in the cake, cut a small slit in the top of the cake and place the baby inside, before icing.
Cut into 10-12 slices and serve.

Notes

Don't skip the time it takes for the dough to rise. This is what gives your King Cake its light and fluffy texture.
Bake the cake in a fully preheated oven to ensure that it bakes evenly.
Let the cake cool completely before icing and decorating. You can make the cake the day before you decorate it.

Storage: Store King Cake in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition