Traditional since the late 1800s, King Cake is a sweetened, ring-shaped bread adorned in green, gold, and purple—the official Mardi Gras colors. Tucked inside is a small baby figurine, once made of gold but now typically plastic. The lucky finder enjoys good fortune for the year and hosts the next Mardi Gras party.
Whether you drew the baby last year or are starting a new tradition, this straightforward recipe delivers an authentic King Cake perfect for celebrations. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
King Cake is essentially a enriched bread dough. In a stand mixer bowl, combine 1 cup milk and 1 tablespoon yeast. Active yeast will bubble gently in the milk, confirming it's ready.
Add 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup dry milk powder, 4-1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 2 eggs to the bowl. Fit with a dough hook and mix until the dough is smooth and pliable.
Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 60 minutes until nearly doubled in size.
Beat together two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth.
On a lightly oiled surface, roll the dough into a 24" x 7" rectangle. Spread the filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border along the long edges.
Fold the dough lengthwise over the filling and press the edges to seal securely.
With the seam down, form the log into a ring and pinch the ends together. Place on a greased baking sheet and let rest for 90 minutes.
Whisk 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush over the dough. This creates a glossy, golden finish.
Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes. Tent with foil for the last 15 minutes if browning too quickly. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Once fully cooled, flip the cake and press a plastic or porcelain baby figurine into the bottom. Baking it in raises plastic safety concerns and choking risks, so post-bake insertion is safer.
Mix 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 3+ tablespoons milk until smooth. Spread over the cooled cake.
Before the icing sets, sprinkle green, purple, and gold sugars. Alert guests to watch for the baby—the finder gets good luck but must host the next party. Share this recipe!
