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Easy New Orleans Style King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

A cross-section view of a rich, cinnamon-swirled king cake topped with purple, green, and gold icing and sprinkles.
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Make a festive Mardi Gras King Cake at home. This recipe uses a soft, brioche-style dough, features a rich cream cheese swirl filling, and is finished with traditional purple, green, and gold icing and sprinkles.

Ingredients

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  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 small plastic baby (optional, for tradition)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
  • Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars or sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, 1 teaspoon sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Make the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, softened butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well. Add the yeast mixture and 3 cups of flour. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Add flour gradually until the dough is soft and no longer sticky. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare the filling: While the dough rises, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
  5. Prepare the cinnamon swirl: In a separate bowl, mix the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
  6. Shape the cake: Punch down the risen dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
  7. Spread the filling: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on one long side.
  8. Add the cinnamon: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer. Brush the 1-inch border with water.
  9. Roll and seal: Roll the dough tightly lengthwise into a log. Pinch the seam closed firmly. If using the baby, insert it into the dough now.
  10. Form the ring: Gently curve the log into a circle, overlapping the ends slightly. Pinch the ends together to seal. Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  11. Second rise: Cover the cake loosely and let it rise again in a warm spot for about 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 15 minutes of the rise.
  12. Bake: Brush the top of the cake lightly with melted butter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let the cake cool slightly on a wire rack.
  13. Make the icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk, a drop at a time, to reach a thick but pourable consistency.
  14. Decorate: Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars before the icing sets.

Notes

  • For a traditional Mardi Gras King Cake, use the purple, green, and gold colors. Purple signifies justice, green signifies faith, and gold signifies power.
  • If you skip the cream cheese filling, brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar before rolling for a classic cinnamon swirl King Cake.
  • You can use store-bought dough if you want a quicker version, but the homemade brioche texture is worth the effort.

Nutrition

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