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–+ servings

The Best Mardi Gras King Cake

A traditional New Orleans dessert, this King Cake is a sweet, cinnamon-filled pastry adorned with colorful icing, perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

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

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, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface 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 1 hour.
Prepare the Filling
  1. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
Assemble the Cake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface.
  3. Spread the filling evenly over the dough.
  4. Roll the dough tightly into a log and shape it into a ring on a baking sheet.
  5. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake and Decorate
  1. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  2. Let it cool, then mix icing ingredients and drizzle over the cake.
  3. Sprinkle with colored sugars to decorate.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

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

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