Hey there, Mardi Gras enthusiast! Let me tell you about king cake, the king of all centerpiece desserts for this festive occasion.
This vibrant cake boasts a surprisingly simple base: a sweet roll with a cinnamon filling, all dressed up in a beautiful glaze. Don’t be intimidated if you’re new to baking; king cake is absolutely doable and a fantastic way to kick off the Carnival season.
Imagine the delight on your guests’ faces when you present this festive centerpiece, and then watch the fun begin as they search for the hidden treasure inside!
A King Cake Through Time
King cake’s history is rich! It all started way back in the Middle Ages, baked to celebrate the birth of Christ on the Feast of the Epiphany. This tradition eventually made its way to Louisiana from France in the 1800s, transforming into the Mardi Gras staple we know today.
The Delights of King Cake
Modern king cakes are a true Mardi Gras indulgence. Traditionally shaped like a king’s crown (a ring!), they’re bursting with flavor thanks to fillings like cinnamon or cream cheese. Bakeries love to get creative with their offerings, so you might also find fillings like pecan praline or coconut.
The Hidden Baby: A Fun Tradition
One of the best parts of king cake? The hidden baby! Don’t worry, it’s not as strange as it sounds. This little figurine (sometimes a bean or pecan) represents who will be king or queen for the day – whoever finds it in their slice gets crowned and the honor of bringing the king cake next year!
The Kingly Look
While fillings can vary, the decoration of a king cake is what truly makes it stand out. The colors are symbolic: gold for power, green for faith, and purple for justice. We like to keep it simple with a thin glaze drizzled over the warm cake, followed by a generous sprinkling of purple, green, and gold sprinkles to complete the festive look.
Tips for Leftovers (if there are any!)
King cake will stay fresh for up to a week if you store it covered in plastic wrap.
Ready to Bake? Let’s Get Rolling!
Now, let’s get to the fun part: baking your own king cake! I’ve included all the ingredients and instructions below.
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Mardi Grass King Cake
Craving a taste of celebration? Dive into the rich tradition of Mardi Gras with a King Cake! This ring-shaped pastry, bursting with colorful icing and decadent fillings, is more than just a dessert – it’s an invitation to join the festivities.
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 cups flour
- 1 packet instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 tbsp oil
Filling:
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ⅓ cup butter (room temp)
Glaze (optional):
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract (food coloring and sprinkles for decoration, optional)
Instructions
- Mix egg yolks, sour cream, sugar, butter, and lemon zest in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk dry ingredients (flour, yeast, spices). Slowly add dry ingredients to wet while mixing until a dough forms. Knead with dough hook or by hand for 5 minutes (dough is sticky!).
- Oil a bowl, place dough in it, and cover with a towel. Let rise for 1.5 hours (warmer) or 2 hours (colder).
- Punch down dough and roll into a 20″x12″ rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll dough lengthwise and pinch the seam closed. Form into a circle and pinch the ends together. Let rise for 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake cake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool.
- Glaze (optional): Mix powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust thickness with more powdered sugar or milk. Decorate with glaze, sprinkles, or food coloring if desired.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 180
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 14
- Calories: 270
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 61g
- Protein: 7g
