Homemade Mardi Gras King Cake
Serves 1235 mins prep45 mins cook
A Mardi Gras Tradition! This Homemade King Cake is soft, fluffy, perfectly sweet, and filled with the simplest three ingredient cinnamon sugar. It's simple, but oh so delicious and best enjoyed with your family and friends!
0 servings
What you need
Instructions
Pastry and Filling: Spray a clean glass bowl with cooking spray. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine 2 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Heat milk and butter until butter is melted. Cool to 120 degrees. Add to flour mixture. Mix until well combined, 1-2 minutes. Change to dough hook, if using. Add egg and remaining 2 cups flour. Mix on low speed for 3-4 minutes. Increase speed to medium. Knead for another 5-6 minutes. Turn into prepared bowl. If proofing in proofing box with water tray, there is no need to cover. If proofing on the counter, cover with plastic wrap. Let rise at warm room temperature (78 degrees F) until doubled in bulk 1-1/2 hours. While dough is proofing, make filling by combining brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Roll into 12"x18" rectangle that is 1/4" thick. Brush with melted butter. Top with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Cut dough lengthwise into thirds. Starting with a long side, roll each piece of dough into a rope. Gather top ends together and press to seal. Braid the strands. Form into a circle. Twist ends together to seal. Place on sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Let pastry rise at warm room temperature (78 degrees F) for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Bake for 35-40 minutes until done (190 degrees), covering after the first 20 minutes to prevent over browning. Icing: In a small bowl, beat together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Spread on cooled king cake. Immediately top with colored sugars.View original recipe