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Easy New Orleans Style King Cake with Cinnamon Swirl

A close-up of a freshly baked, braided king cake loaf drizzled with purple, yellow, and green icing.
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Make an authentic-tasting King Cake at home with this straightforward recipe featuring a sweet cinnamon swirl filling and traditional colored glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (0.25 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110 degrees F)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon for yeast
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for filling)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
  • Purple, green, and gold food coloring or sanding sugar (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar and the yeast in the warm milk. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the salt.
  3. Add the yeast mixture to the butter mixture and mix well. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
  5. Punch down the risen dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12 by 18 inches.
  6. Brush the entire surface of the dough with the melted butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
  7. Starting with a long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam closed.
  8. Shape the cake: Gently bring the ends of the log together to form an oval or ring shape. Pinch the ends together securely to seal. Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  9. Cover the cake loosely and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until puffy.
  10. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
  11. Make the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Divide the glaze into three small bowls. Add a drop of purple coloring to one, green to the second, and gold to the third. Mix well.
  12. Decorate the cooled cake by drizzling the colored glazes over the top. Immediately sprinkle with corresponding colored sanding sugars before the glaze sets.

Notes

  • For a traditional look, use purple, green, and gold sanding sugars, which represent justice, faith, and power.
  • If you prefer a cream cheese filling, mix 4 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup powdered sugar before spreading it over the dough before rolling.
  • You can braid two ropes of dough instead of rolling for a different visual texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/easy-king-cake-recipe-new-orleans-style/