📝 About This Recipe
Celebrate the spirit of Carnival with this authentic New Orleans-style King Cake, a rich, brioche-like pastry swirled with a decadent cinnamon-pecan cream cheese filling. Draped in a velvety vanilla glaze and adorned with the traditional purple, green, and gold sugars, this festive ring symbolizes justice, faith, and power. It is more than just a dessert; it is a centerpiece of Cajun and Creole culture that brings friends and family together during the revelry of Epiphany.
🥗 Ingredients
The Brioche Dough
- 4 cups All-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 cup Whole milk (warmed to 110°F)
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast (one standard packet)
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 2 large Egg yolks (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Praline Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces Cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Pecans (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Glaze and Decoration
- 2 cups Powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2-3 tablespoons Whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon Almond extract (optional for depth)
- 2 tablespoons each Sanding sugar (Purple, Green, and Gold colors)
- 1 piece Plastic King Cake Baby (to be hidden after baking)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (110°F) with 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar and the yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant.
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2
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the remaining sugar, melted butter, egg yolks, and the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until combined.
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3
Gradually add the flour and salt. Knead on medium-low speed for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
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4
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
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5
While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and chopped pecans until smooth and well incorporated.
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6
Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, approximately 10x20 inches.
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7
Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along the edges.
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8
Starting from the long side, roll the dough up tightly into a log, like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam shut to seal in the filling.
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9
Transfer the log to a parchment-lined baking sheet and join the two ends together to form a ring. Pinch the ends together firmly to seal the circle.
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10
Cover the ring loosely and let it rise for another 45 minutes until puffy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) during this time.
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11
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake is a deep golden brown. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before icing.
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12
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until you have a thick but pourable glaze. Drizzle generously over the cooled cake.
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13
Immediately sprinkle the sanding sugars in alternating bands of purple, green, and gold while the glaze is still wet.
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14
Carefully tuck the plastic baby into the underside of the cake before serving. Warn your guests to look out for it!
💡 Chef's Tips
Ensure your milk is not too hot (above 115°F), or it will kill the yeast and the cake won't rise. For a more 'braided' look, cut the dough log lengthwise before twisting the two strands together, though this can be messy with cream cheese filling. If the dough is too sticky to handle, add flour one tablespoon at a time until manageable, but avoid over-flouring for a tender crumb. Hide the baby after baking to avoid melting the plastic or creating a choking hazard during the bake. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with a steaming cup of Cafe au Lait made with chicory coffee. Pair with a glass of cold milk for the kids or a festive Bourbon milk punch for the adults. Enjoy as a decadent breakfast on Mardi Gras morning or as the grand finale to a seafood gumbo dinner. Place on a decorative gold platter and surround with colorful Mardi Gras beads for a true party presentation.