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Authentic Louisiana King Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl

Close-up of a slice of cream cheese filled king cake topped with purple, green, and gold Mardi Gras icing.
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You can make this show-stopping, traditional Louisiana King Cake at home. This recipe features a soft, brioche-style yeast bread with a rich cinnamon swirl and an optional cream cheese filling, finished with the classic purple, green, and gold icing for your Mardi Gras celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for filling)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (for optional filling)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for optional filling)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for optional filling)
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the remaining granulated sugar, eggs, softened butter, and salt. Mix until just combined.
  3. Add the yeast mixture and 3 cups of flour. Mix on low speed until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  4. Knead the dough: Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Add the vanilla extract during the last minute of kneading.
  5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  6. Prepare the filling: While the dough rises, prepare the cinnamon filling by beating together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. If using the cream cheese filling, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  7. Shape the cake: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
  8. Spread the filling: Spread your chosen filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on one long edge.
  9. Roll and form the ring: Tightly roll the dough lengthwise into a log. Pinch the seam closed. Gently curve the log into a circle, overlapping the ends by about an inch. Pinch the ends together firmly to seal the ring.
  10. Second rise: Place the ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until puffy. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 15 minutes of rising.
  11. Bake: Brush the dough lightly with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
  12. Cool and decorate: Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack. Prepare a simple glaze using powdered sugar and a small amount of milk or lemon juice. Drizzle the glaze over the cake. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars or icing.

Notes

  • For the traditional colors, use sanding sugars or icing tinted with food coloring: purple symbolizes justice, green symbolizes faith, and gold symbolizes power.
  • If you skip the filling, brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar before rolling for a simple cinnamon swirl brioche bread texture.
  • You can hide a small, clean plastic baby inside the cake before baking for a fun Mardi Gras tradition.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/easy-king-cake-recipe-with-cream-cheese-filling/

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