Description
King cake lovers rejoice over this New Orleans cinnamon roll king cake that blends Mardi Gras tradition with sweet indulgence. Festive purple, green, and gold sugars crown this classic Louisiana dessert for memorable celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3.5 cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 packet (2.25 tsp) active dry yeast
- 0.25 cups (50 g) granulated sugar
- 0.25 cups (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 cups (120 ml) warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cups (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cups (100 g) brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1.5 cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsps milk
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold colored sugar (or sprinkles)
- 1 small plastic baby (optional, for tradition!)
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Whisk yeast into lukewarm milk, allowing the mixture to become frothy and aromatic for 5 minutes.
- Dough Preparation: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg. Gradually incorporate the activated yeast mixture, kneading until the dough transforms into a silky, elastic consistency.
- First Rising: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel, letting it rest in a warm environment until its volume doubles, approximately 1 hour.
- Filling Creation: Blend softened butter with brown sugar and ground cinnamon to create a smooth, spreadable cinnamon filling.
- Dough Shaping: Roll the risen dough into a rectangular shape, spreading the cinnamon mixture evenly across the surface. Carefully roll the dough lengthwise into a tight cylinder, then form it into a circular or oval shape on a prepared baking sheet.
- Second Rising: Allow the shaped cake to become slightly puffy for 30 minutes, sealing the ends by pinching them together.
- Baking Process: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake until it achieves a golden-brown complexion, typically 25-30 minutes.
- Finishing Touches: Cool the cake completely, then prepare a glossy glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and decorate with purple, green, and gold sugars.
- Traditional Embellishment: Optionally, hide a small plastic baby within the cake to continue the cherished Mardi Gras tradition.
Notes
- Master Yeast Activation: Ensure milk is precisely lukewarm (100-110°F) to activate yeast without killing it, creating the perfect frothy foundation.
- Dough Elasticity Technique: Knead thoroughly until dough becomes smooth and stretchy, developing gluten for a soft, pillowy texture that springs back when touched.
- Temperature Control Crucial: Proof dough in a consistently warm, draft-free environment around 80-85°F to guarantee optimal rising and prevent dense, heavy texture.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain structural integrity and achieve similar soft, tender results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 374
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 186 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg