Festive Mardi Gras King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
Celebrate Mardi Gras with this delightful and colorful King Cake, a traditional New Orleans treat. This recipe yields a soft, sweet bread filled with a creamy cheese mixture that's both satisfying and festive. Topped with a vibrant sprinkle of purple, green, and gold sugar, this cake is perfect for sharing at parties or gatherings. Hidden within is a small plastic baby, adding an element of surprise and tradition for the lucky finder! Enjoy a slice of history and flavor that captures the spirit of Carnival.
N/A
Servings
290
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dry active yeast
2 (1/4 ounce) packages (active)
Sugar
1/2 cup (granulated)
Butter
1/2 cup (1 stick) (melted)
2% Low-fat milk
1 cup (warmed to 110°F)
Egg yolks
5 (large)
All-purpose flour
4-5 cups (for dough and dusting)
Salt
2 teaspoons (table salt)
Ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon (freshly grated if possible)
Lemon zest
1 teaspoon (grated)
Neufchatel cheese or cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
Powdered sugar
2 1/2 cups (for filling and glaze)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
2% Low-fat milk
2 tablespoons (for glaze)
Sugar candy sprinkles
as needed (purple, green, and gold for decoration)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar, and melted butter. Add the warmed milk to the mixture, then blend on low speed for about 4 minutes to activate the yeast. Gradually incorporate the egg yolks until well combined.
2
In a separate large bowl, whisk together 4 cups of flour, salt, nutmeg, and lemon zest. Slowly add this dry mixture to the yeast mixture, mixing on low speed until it begins to come together. Increase to medium speed and continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a soft ball, approximately 5-7 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add the remaining flour, half a cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
3
Lightly coat the dough with a teaspoon of vegetable oil, turning to ensure all sides are well-oiled. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and place it in a warm, draft-free area, allowing it to rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
4
While the dough rises, prepare the cream cheese filling. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk to create a drizzle glaze; set aside.
5
Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle approximately 30 inches long and 6 inches wide. Evenly spread the cream cheese filling along the center of the dough. Fold the long edges together, sealing the filling inside. Gently shape the dough into a long cylinder and form it into a ring on a greased baking sheet, ensuring the seam side is down.
6
Insert a clean, greased 2-pound coffee can into the center of the ring to help maintain its shape while baking. If desired, press a plastic baby into the bottom of the ring until it is hidden under the dough. Cover with a towel and let it rise for an additional 45 minutes.
7
Using a sharp knife, make several shallow slits on the top of the ring for decoration and to help the cake rise further. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown.
8
After baking, immediately remove the coffee can from the center. Allow the cake to cool completely, then drizzle with the prepared glaze. Generously sprinkle the colored sugar over the top, alternating colors for a festive look. Slice the cake, serve, and enjoy the revelry!
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
43g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Festive Mardi Gras King Cake?
It is a traditional New Orleans sweet bread treat filled with cream cheese and decorated with purple, green, and gold sugar.
What are the traditional colors of the cake?
The traditional colors used for decoration are purple, green, and gold.
Why is there a plastic baby in the cake?
A small plastic baby is hidden inside to add an element of surprise and tradition for the person who finds it.
How much yeast is required?
The recipe calls for two 1/4 ounce packages of active dry yeast.
What temperature should the milk be?
The milk should be warmed to 110 degrees Fahrenheit to properly activate the yeast.
How many egg yolks are needed?
You will need five large egg yolks for this recipe.
What kind of flour should I use?
All-purpose flour is used for the dough and for dusting surfaces.
What spices add flavor to the dough?
The dough is flavored with one teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
Does the recipe include lemon?
Yes, it includes both lemon zest in the dough and fresh lemon juice in the glaze.
What is the main ingredient for the filling?
The filling is made with eight ounces of softened cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese.
How long does the first rise take?
The dough should rise in a warm, draft-free area for about two hours until doubled in size.
How long is the second rise after shaping?
The cake should rise for an additional 45 minutes after being shaped into a ring.
What size should I roll the dough?
Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 30 inches long and 6 inches wide.
Why is a coffee can used while baking?
A clean, greased 2-pound coffee can is placed in the center to help the cake maintain its ring shape while baking.
At what temperature should the cake be baked?
Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take to bake?
The cake typically bakes for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
What goes into the glaze?
The glaze is a mixture of powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk.
When should the glaze be applied?
The glaze should be drizzled over the cake after it has cooled completely.
How do you decorate with sugar?
Generously sprinkle purple, green, and gold sugar over the glaze, alternating the colors.
What should I do if the dough is too sticky?
If sticky, add the remaining flour half a cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
How do you seal the cream cheese filling inside?
Spread the filling in the center, fold the long edges together, and place the cake seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Where should I hide the plastic baby?
Press the baby into the bottom of the ring until it is hidden under the dough before the second rise.
What tool is recommended for mixing the dough?
A mixing bowl fitted with a dough hook is recommended.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 290 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 11 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a slice?
There are 43 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does the cake provide?
Each serving provides approximately 3 grams of protein.
How do you prep the dough for the first rise?
Lightly coat the dough with a teaspoon of vegetable oil and cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp cloth.
When do you add the slits to the dough?
Use a sharp knife to make several shallow slits on the top of the ring just before baking.
How much powdered sugar is needed in total?
A total of 2 and 1/2 cups of powdered sugar is used for both the filling and the glaze.