Traditional New Orleans King Cake

It’s like a mix between a coffee cake and a cinnamon roll, and it’s always the star of any party.

Best part? You can make it at home! It takes some time, but don’t worry—I’ll walk you through every step. Let’s get baking!

What You’ll Need

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
• 1 small plastic baby (optional)

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips

1. Make sure your milk is warm but not too hot! If it’s hotter than 110°F, it can kill the yeast, and your dough won’t rise.
2. Let the dough rise in a warm spot. If your kitchen is chilly, turn your oven on for a few minutes, then turn it off and place the dough inside to rise.
3. Don’t overfill your cake! Too much filling can make it hard to roll up and can leak out while baking.
4. Add the baby after baking. If you’re using a plastic baby, push it into the bottom of the cooled cake to avoid melting.
5. Use gel food coloring if making your own colored sugar. It gives a vibrant color without making the sugar clumpy.

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional)
• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet
• Pastry brush
• Plastic wrap or kitchen towel
• Sharp knife
• Cooling rack

Substitutions & Variations

• Dough Alternative: Use store-bought crescent roll dough if you’re short on time.
• Filling Swap: Try cream cheese filling instead of cinnamon sugar for a richer flavor.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but add an extra egg for structure.

Make-Ahead Tips

• You can make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temp before rolling it out.
• Freeze the baked cake (without icing) for up to a month. Thaw, then ice and decorate before serving.

How to Make King Cake

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Warm the milk to 110°F and stir in the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, mix melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, and vanilla. Stir in the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour and salt, kneading until smooth.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.

Step 4: Roll Out & Fill

Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread softened butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Step 5: Shape & Bake

Roll the dough into a log, form a ring, and pinch the edges to seal. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

Step 6: Ice & Decorate

Drizzle icing over the cooled cake, then sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar.

Leftovers & Storage

• Store at room temp in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
• Refrigerate for up to a week.
• Freeze (without icing) for up to a month.

Enjoy Your King Cake! 🎭

Now that you’ve made a homemade King Cake, you’re officially ready for Mardi Gras! Who got the baby? Let me know in the comments how yours turned out! 💜💚💛