Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

Prepare the Dough

In a small saucepan, warm the milk until it is lukewarm. Remove from heat and add the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and eggs. Add the yeast mixture and vanilla extract.

Combine and Knead

Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.

First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling

In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Shape the Cake

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling over the dough, then roll tightly into a log shape.

Second Rise

Shape the log into a ring and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool completely.

Prepare Icing

In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency as needed.

Decorate

Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake and sprinkle with colored sugar. Serve with whipped cream on the side.