Festive Mini King Cakes
Celebrate Mardi Gras with these delightful mini King Cakes that are both adorable and utterly delicious! Perfectly sized for brunch gatherings or festive occasions, these treats are filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with a colorful glaze, making them a showstopper. Their charming presentation on a platter will surely impress your guests. Plus, hide a tiny plastic baby in one of the cakes for a fun twist—whoever finds it is blessed with good luck for the year! Indulge in the rich flavors and soft texture while embracing the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Milk
1/2 cup (heated)
Sugar
1/2 cup + 1/2 cup (divided)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons
Butter
1/4 cup (melted)
Warm water
1/2 cup ((105-115 degrees))
Dry yeast
2 1/4 ounces (1 package)
Large eggs
2 (beaten)
All-purpose flour
4 1/2 cups
Cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
Almond flavoring
1/2 teaspoon
Colored sugar
to taste (for sprinkles)
Confectioners' sugar
1 cup
Cream
1 tablespoon
Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, proof the yeast by combining it with warm water and letting it sit until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the proofed yeast with milk, sugar, salt, melted butter, and beaten eggs. Stir to combine.
3
Gradually add flour to the mixture, incorporating it until a soft dough forms. Flour your hands and knead the dough on a floured surface until it's elastic, about 5-7 minutes. The dough will remain slightly sticky, so keep flouring your hands as needed.
4
Roll the kneaded dough out into a rectangle measuring 8 inches by 12 inches.
5
In a medium bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, additional sugar, and almond flavoring until smooth. Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough, reaching the edges.
6
Using a sharp knife, slice the dough into 12 strips, each about 1 inch wide. Carefully roll each strip up to create pinwheels.
7
Place each pinwheel in nonstick muffin tins, or use decorative paper muffin cups for added flair. Allow the rolled cakes to rise in a warm area until they double in volume, approximately 30-40 minutes.
8
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the risen cakes for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are slightly golden.
9
While the mini cakes bake, prepare the glaze by whisking together the confectioners' sugar, cream, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth.
10
Once the cakes are out of the oven and still warm, drizzle the glaze over the tops. Prepare three small bowls of colored sugar by mixing regular sugar with food coloring to create a yellow, green, and purple mix. While the glaze is still tacky, sprinkle the colored sugars over the cakes for a festive touch.
11
Serve these mini King Cakes on a platter, and enjoy the festive spirit while savoring every bite!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Mini King Cakes?
They are small, individual-sized versions of the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake, featuring a yeast-based dough, cream cheese filling, and colorful glaze.
What is the significance of the plastic baby in the cake?
Traditionally, a tiny plastic baby is hidden inside one of the cakes; whoever finds it is said to be blessed with good luck for the year.
How long should I proof the yeast?
The yeast should be proofed in warm water for about 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly.
What is the ideal water temperature for the yeast?
The water should be between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit to properly activate the yeast.
What ingredients are in the cream cheese filling?
The filling consists of softened cream cheese, sugar, and almond flavoring blended until smooth.
How do I shape the mini king cakes?
Roll the dough into an 8x12 inch rectangle, spread the filling, slice into 12 strips, and roll each strip into a pinwheel.
How many mini cakes does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to produce 12 individual mini king cakes.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe calls for 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
Should the dough be sticky after kneading?
Yes, the dough will remain slightly sticky; you should keep your hands floured while kneading for 5-7 minutes until it is elastic.
How long do the cakes need to rise?
The rolled cakes should rise in a warm area for approximately 30-40 minutes until they double in volume.
What is the baking temperature?
The cakes should be baked in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long do the mini king cakes bake?
They typically bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are slightly golden.
What ingredients are in the glaze?
The glaze is made by whisking together confectioners' sugar, cream, and vanilla.
When should I apply the glaze?
The glaze should be drizzled over the cakes while they are still warm from the oven.
What colors of sugar are traditionally used for decoration?
The traditional Mardi Gras colors used are yellow, green, and purple.
How do I make the colored sugar?
You can create colored sugar by mixing regular granulated sugar with food coloring in three separate bowls.
When should the colored sugar be added?
The colored sugar should be sprinkled over the cakes while the glaze is still tacky so it sticks properly.
Can I use muffin tins for this recipe?
Yes, you should place the pinwheels in nonstick muffin tins or use decorative paper muffin cups.
What flavor is the filling?
The filling has a sweet cream cheese base with almond flavoring.
Is the butter used in the dough melted or softened?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of melted butter for the dough mixture.
Do I need to beat the eggs before adding them?
Yes, the 2 large eggs should be beaten before being combined with the other dough ingredients.
What size should the dough rectangle be before cutting?
The dough should be rolled out into a rectangle measuring 8 inches by 12 inches.
How wide should each dough strip be?
Each of the 12 strips should be approximately 1 inch wide.
What is the texture of the finished cakes?
The cakes have a soft texture with a rich cream cheese filling.
Can these be served for brunch?
Yes, they are perfectly sized and styled for festive brunch gatherings.
Does the recipe use dry or fresh yeast?
The recipe uses 1 package (2 1/4 ounces) of dry yeast.
Should the milk be heated?
Yes, the 1/2 cup of milk should be heated before being added to the dough mixture.
What kind of sugar is used in the glaze?
Confectioners' sugar (also known as powdered sugar) is used to ensure a smooth glaze.
How should the cakes be presented?
They are best served arranged on a platter to showcase their vibrant colors.
Can I substitute the almond flavoring?
While the recipe specifies almond, you could likely use vanilla extract if you prefer a different flavor profile.