Royally Festive Mardi Gras King Cake
Celebrate Mardi Gras with this vibrant and flavorful King Cake, a delightful confection steeped in tradition. Originally brought to New Orleans from France in 1870, this oval-shaped treat combines the richness of a coffee cake with the flakiness of French pastry. The King Cake is adorned with vibrant stripes of purple, green, and gold, representing Justice, Faith, and Power, respectively. These colors pay homage to the jeweled crown of the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany. Hidden within this festive cake is a small baby doll trinket, symbolizing luck and prosperity. When sliced, each guest searches for the baby; the lucky finder becomes the 'King' or 'Queen' for the day, bound by tradition to provide the next cake. Perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations, this cake is not only a treat but also a conversation starter, making your festivities even more special.
N/A
Servings
242
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
1/4 cup (Warm)
Milk
3/4 cup (Warm)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Salt
1 teaspoon (None)
Butter
5 tablespoons (Melted)
Sugar
1/3 cup (None)
Flour
3 cups (None)
Active dry yeast
1 (3/4 ounce) package (None)
Cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (Softened)
Powdered sugar (for filling)
1 cup (None)
Lemon extract
1 teaspoon (None)
Powdered sugar (for icing)
1 1/2 cups (None)
Milk (for icing)
3-5 tablespoons (None)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
Sprinkles (purple, green, gold)
To decorate (None)
Instructions
1
In a bread maker, combine the liquid ingredients: water, milk, and egg. Add the butter, salt, sugar, and flour, making a well in the flour to add the yeast. Select the dough cycle and start the machine.
2
In a separate bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon extract until smooth, then set aside.
3
Once the dough cycle is complete, lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough into a rectangle approximately 10 x 18 inches.
4
Spread the cream cheese filling in a log shape down the center of the dough. Roll the dough up from the long side to form a long log, ensuring the filling stays in the middle. Brush the edge with water before sealing.
5
Carefully shape the log into a circle, pressing the ends together. You can use a medium saucepan as a guide to form a perfect circle. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
6
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake for 20-30 minutes, or until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Lift the cake gently to insert the trinket into the bottom of the cake once it’s done baking. Allow the cake to cool completely.
7
Prepare the icing by combining the remaining powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to create a pourable consistency. Mix until smooth.
8
Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake using a spoon or a clean condiments bottle. Decorate with purple, green, and gold sprinkles. Allow the icing to set before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
7.4g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
3.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Royally Festive Mardi Gras King Cake?
It is a vibrant, oval-shaped treat traditionally served during Mardi Gras that combines the characteristics of coffee cake and French pastry.
Where did the King Cake tradition originate?
The tradition was brought to New Orleans from France in 1870.
What do the colors of the King Cake represent?
The purple, green, and gold colors represent Justice, Faith, and Power, respectively.
Why is there a baby doll hidden in the King Cake?
The small baby doll trinket symbolizes luck and prosperity and represents the Christ Child visited by the Wise Men.
What happens to the person who finds the baby doll?
The lucky finder becomes the King or Queen for the day and is traditionally responsible for providing the next cake.
Can I use a bread maker for this recipe?
Yes, the instructions specifically involve using a bread maker to mix the dough and complete the dough cycle.
What ingredients are needed for the cream cheese filling?
The filling consists of softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon extract.
How do I shape the King Cake?
Roll the dough into a 10 x 18 inch rectangle, fill it, roll it into a log, and then shape the log into a circle.
What temperature should the King Cake be baked at?
The cake should be baked in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long should the King Cake bake?
It should bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it turns a beautiful golden brown.
How do I insert the baby doll trinket?
Lift the cake gently after it has finished baking and insert the trinket into the bottom.
When should the icing be applied?
Wait until the cake has cooled completely before drizzling the icing over it.
What is the calorie count for this King Cake?
Each serving contains approximately 242 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains 7.4 grams of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains 37.5 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 3.8 grams of protein per serving.
How long does the dough need to rise?
The dough should rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
What type of yeast is required?
The recipe calls for one 3/4 ounce package of active dry yeast.
How do you make the icing?
The icing is made by combining powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to create a pourable consistency.
What size rectangle should the dough be rolled into?
The dough should be rolled out into a rectangle approximately 10 by 18 inches.
What can I use to help form the circular shape?
You can use a medium saucepan as a guide to help form a perfect circle.
How do I seal the dough log?
Brush the edge of the dough with water before sealing it to ensure the filling stays inside.
What is the sequence for adding ingredients to the bread maker?
Combine liquid ingredients (water, milk, egg) first, then add butter, salt, sugar, and flour, and finally the yeast in a well.
What kind of sprinkles are used for decoration?
Use purple, green, and gold sprinkles to decorate the icing.
Is there a specific extract used in the filling?
Yes, lemon extract is used to flavor the cream cheese filling.
How much flour is needed for the dough?
The dough requires 3 cups of flour.
Does the recipe require melted butter?
Yes, the dough recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of melted butter.
What type of sugar is used in the icing?
The icing uses 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.
Can I use a bottle to apply the icing?
Yes, you can use a clean condiments bottle or a spoon to drizzle the icing.
Why should the milk be warm for the dough?
Warm milk (and water) helps activate the yeast for the dough cycle.