King Cake

Name: King Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 2.25 tsp active dry yeast; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 egg yolks, beaten; 3.5 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tbsp heavy cream

A classic Mardi Gras sweet yeast bread swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with simple glaze.

55 minMediumServes 12310 cal/serving

CajunDessertOvenVegetarianHalal-friendlyNut-FreeSoy-FreeAlcohol-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

Ingredients

2.25 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 egg yolks, beaten
3.5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

1

Dissolve 2.25 tsp active dry yeast and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in 1/2 cup warmed whole milk in a large bowl, letting it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2

Stir in 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 beaten egg yolks, and 3.5 cups all-purpose flour until a smooth dough forms, then knead for 8 minutes.
3

Roll dough into a large rectangle, sprinkle 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 tsp ground cinnamon evenly over top, and roll up tightly.
4

Shape log into an oval ring on a lined pan, pinch ends to seal, and let rise for 45 minutes.
5

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes until golden, then cool completely.
6

Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tbsp heavy cream together until smooth, then drizzle icing over cooled cake.

Questions

Can I make King Cake dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted, 2 tbsp heavy cream. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the cream for full-fat coconut milk or an oat cooking cream. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make King Cake gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 3.5 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does King Cake keep?

Store it airtight: two to three days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. It freezes for up to two months; thaw at room temperature.

Can I halve or double King Cake?

Yes. As written it serves 12. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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