Preparation time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
King Cake Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 cup (240 mL) Milk
- 1/4 cup (60 g) Butter
- 2 (about 7 g each) packages Active Dry Yeast (
- 2/3 cup (160 mL) Warm Water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1/2 cup (100g) Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon (about 3 g) Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon (about 3 g) Salt
- 5 cups (600 g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) Warm Milk (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) Melted Butter
- 1/2 cup (100 g) Sugar
- 3 (about 25 g each) tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (60 g) Chopped Candied Citron
- 1 Plastic Baby (optional)
- 1/2 cup (60 g) Confectioners’ Sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) Lemon Juice
- 2 cups (200 g) Colored Sugars
Method
- In a saucepan, heat 1 cup milk and 1/4 cup butter until it reaches about 110°F/43°C. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water, let stand for about 5 minutes.
- Stir the sugar, eggs, nutmeg, and salt into the yeast mixture.
- Add half of the flour (2.5 cups) and stir until smooth.
- Stir in the milk mixture until smooth.
- Mix in the remaining flour until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- Mix 1/2 cup warm milk, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir in the chopped candied citron.
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle and spread the filling over the dough.
- Roll up the dough, pinch the edges to seal and form a ring.
- Place a plastic baby in the dough from the bottom side (optional). Warning : If you choose to include the optional plastic baby in the dough from the bottom side, please remember it poses a potential choking hazard. Always inform those consuming the cake of its presence.
- Cover the ring and let it rise again until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Stir together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice until smooth, brush the glaze over the warm cake.
- Sprinkle the colored sugars over the cake while the glaze is still wet.
Enjoy this delicious and traditional King Cake at home. Remember, the person who finds the baby will host the next party! Enjoy cooking!
Creating a healthier king cake
The traditional king cake, while delicious, can be a bit heavy on calories. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, there are several adjustments you can make without sacrificing flavor.
One way is to swap out some of the sugar for natural sweeteners such as applesauce or honey. You can also use whole-wheat flour instead of white for a boost of fiber.
And instead of using a full stick of butter, try half a stick and compensate the rest with unsweetened apple sauce. These simple tweaks can make your king cake healthier and just as tasty.
Storing your king cake
Once you’ve enjoyed your king cake, you might be wondering about the best way to store the leftovers. King cake can be kept for about 2 days at room temperature, ideally wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain its freshness.
If you want to extend its shelf life, you can refrigerate it in a resealable bag for up to one week. For even longer storage, you can freeze it. Thaw it at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Pairing with king cake
King cake itself is a flavorful dessert, so pairing it with the right beverage can make it even more enjoyable. Consider serving it with a cup of coffee, its bitterness provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweet and spicy cake.
For a festive celebration, a sparkling cider or champagne pairs beautifully with the fruity filling of the cake. If you are serving the cake as part of a Mardi Gras celebration, a glass of Southern-style sweet tea could be the perfect touch.
