New Orleans King Cake
A vibrant brioche-style cake braided with cinnamon sugar and topped with royal icing and colored sugar. Traditionally hidden baby figurine included—serve with fanfare at Mardi Gras gatherings.
- Total time
- 90 min
- Servings
- 8
- Calories
- 385
- Protein
- 7g
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1.5 cups confectioners sugar
Instructions
- 1
Whisk 3.5 cups flour, 0.5 cup sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
- 2
Make a well in the center. Add 4 tbsp melted butter, 2 eggs, and 0.5 cup warm water.
- 3
Stir until shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 4
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise 60 minutes until doubled.
- 5
Punch down dough and roll into a 16×12-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
- 6
Spread a thin layer of melted butter over dough, then sprinkle 2 tsp cinnamon mixed with 3 tbsp sugar.
- 7
Roll dough tightly from the long side into a rope, then form into a ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- 8
Seal the ends, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise 30 minutes until puffy.
- 9
Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- 10
Cool 10 minutes, then whisk 1.5 cups confectioners sugar with 3 tbsp water until pourable.
- 11
Drizzle icing over warm cake. Top with purple, green, and gold decorating sugar in traditional Mardi Gras colors.
Tools you’ll need
- large mixing bowl
- whisk
- measuring cups and spoons
- 16×12-inch baking sheet
- parchment paper
- plastic wrap
- rolling pin
- oven
- skewer or toothpick
- small bowl for icing
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