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–+ servings

Classic King Cake

A traditional New Orleans pastry, King Cake is a sweet, cinnamon-filled dough topped with colorful icing, often enjoyed during Mardi Gras celebrations.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Creole
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk warm
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Filling
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans optional
Icing
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 drop purple food coloring for decoration
  • 1 drop green food coloring for decoration
  • 1 drop yellow food coloring for decoration

Method
 

Prepare the Dough
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Add melted butter, eggs, salt, and cinnamon to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
  3. Gradually add flour, mixing until a dough forms. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
Make the Filling
  1. In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
Assemble the Cake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle.
  3. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, then roll it up tightly into a log.
  4. Shape the log into a circle and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake and Decorate
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
  2. Let cool slightly, then mix icing ingredients and drizzle over the cake.
  3. Decorate with colored sugars in purple, green, and yellow.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 300IUCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Traditionally, a small plastic baby is hidden inside the cake. The person who finds it is expected to host the next party.

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