Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
If you’re daydreaming about a sweet treat that instantly puts you in the carnival spirit, this Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe is your ticket! Every bite is a swirl of soft, pillowy dough, warm cinnamon sugar filling, and a riot of sparkling colored sugars that practically shout “let the good times roll.” Whether you’re throwing a party or simply want to savor the fun at home, this recipe brings the magic of New Orleans to your kitchen in the most delicious way possible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe is that every ingredient truly matters—each one brings something special, from the rich dough to the vibrant toppings. Think of them as the building blocks to a festive, cinnamon-swirled feast you’ll want to share with everyone!
- Warm milk (1 cup, 110°F): This gives your yeast the perfect jump start for a fluffy, tender cake.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): The secret to a beautifully risen dough and that classic king cake texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Just the right touch of sweetness throughout the dough.
- Unsalted butter (1/3 cup, melted): Adds rich flavor and that luscious, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Large eggs (2): Help bind everything together and enrich the dough for softness.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): The structure-builder—without it, there’s no cake!
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances flavors and brings out the best in every bite.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon in dough, 1 tablespoon for filling): The ultimate king cake spice—warm, aromatic, and completely irresistible.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Gives a subtle, almost mysterious depth that’s so worth including.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): For a molasses-kissed filling that melts into gooey deliciousness.
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons, softened, for filling): Binds the cinnamon and brown sugar so the filling can swirl right through the bread.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): The key to a perfectly smooth, sweet glaze.
- Milk (1–2 tablespoons, for glaze): To loosen up the powdered sugar and create that ideal pourable consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a fragrant, creamy note to the glaze.
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar: These aren’t just pretty—they’re a Mardi Gras must for the signature color burst.
- Plastic baby (optional): Tuck this inside if you’re all about tradition and surprises!
How to Make Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, pour in that warm milk, sprinkle the yeast on top, and give it 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s working when it looks nice and foamy—think of this as waking up your yeast and letting it know it’s time to party.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
Once your yeast is bubbly, stir in the granulated sugar, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until everything is happily combined—this blend is the base of your dough’s super-soft texture and rich flavor.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients and Knead
Next, sprinkle in the flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to bring it all together, then turn your dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. This step is where the cake gets its trademark tenderness.
Step 4: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it up, and let it rise in a warm corner for about an hour or until it doubles in size. The anticipation is half the fun—don’t peek too often!
Step 5: Make the Filling
While the dough is rising, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter in a small bowl. This dreamy filling is where the magic happens—don’t be shy about blending everything evenly so every slice gets plenty of gooey goodness.
Step 6: Shape the Cake
Punch down the dough, then roll it out to a 10×20-inch rectangle on your floured counter. Spread the cinnamon filling all over, then tightly roll it up from the long side. Form the roll into a ring, pinching the ends to seal it for that unmistakable king cake shape!
Step 7: Second Rise
Move your cake ring onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover it, and let it rise again for about 30 minutes. This step ensures your king cake turns out light and airy, ready to soak up all those fun colors and glaze.
Step 8: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the cake for 25–30 minutes, until it’s perfected golden brown. Let it cool completely before decorating—the hardest part is waiting, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Step 9: Glaze and Decorate
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable, then generously drizzle your glaze over the cooled cake. Before the glaze sets, immediately sprinkle the purple, green, and gold sanding sugars for that iconic Mardi Gras finish. Slip a plastic baby underneath if you’re feeling extra festive!
How to Serve Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Right before serving, a final dusting of extra sanding sugars makes the cake pop with even more carnival color. You can also scatter a few edible gold stars, or tuck in a bead necklace for an extra dash of New Orleans flair. If you wish, a little extra drizzle of glaze brings out the party spirit—and a crown-shaped topper never hurt anyone!
Side Dishes
This Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe goes beautifully with freshly brewed coffee (café au lait, if you want to channel the French Quarter). For something even more decadent, pair it with fresh fruit salad or serve alongside a bright citrus punch to balance the sweet spice of the cake.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, slice the cake and arrange it on a big platter surrounded by Mardi Gras beads and masks. Miniature king cake “bites” are a hit for potlucks—just cut before glazing and decorate each piece individually. You can even hide the baby in one slice and let everyone pick with anticipation!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. The dough stays remarkably moist, so you can enjoy the flavors even after the party winds down.
Freezing
To keep your Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe fresh for future festivities, freeze fully cooled, unglazed cake tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature, then add the glaze and colored sugar for just-baked vibrancy.
Reheating
If you want to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or pop the unglazed cake in a low oven until just heated. Always glaze after reheating for the best texture and look.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Mix and knead the dough, then cover and refrigerate overnight. This lets the flavors develop and makes day-of assembly even easier for your Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe.
What if I don’t have purple, green, and gold sanding sugar?
Don’t worry—a quick mix of colored sprinkles or even tinted regular sugar works in a pinch. The Mardi Gras spirit is all about color and fun, so use whatever you have to brighten the cake.
Do I have to include the plastic baby?
Nope! The baby is a festive tradition, but totally optional. If you prefer, leave it out, or replace it with a dried bean or a cute candy if you want to keep the tradition but don’t have a plastic figurine.
Can I use a stand mixer for the dough?
Yes, a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment can definitely handle the mixing and kneading. Just watch the dough so you don’t overwork it—you’re aiming for that perfect soft, stretchy texture.
Is this cake suitable for vegetarians?
Absolutely! There’s no meat or gelatin in this Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe, so it fits right in with a vegetarian dessert spread. Just double-check the decorations if you use commercial sprinkles or sugars.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a taste of celebration any time of year, you’ll fall in love with this Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe—festive, foolproof, and ready to bring a smile to everyone who tries it. Gather your favorite people, grab your colored sugars, and let the good times (and cake!) roll!
Print
Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the festive spirit with this Easy Mardi Gras King Cake recipe. A delightful cinnamon-spiced cake filled with sweet goodness and topped with colorful sanding sugar, perfect for celebrating the carnival season!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations:
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
- Plastic baby (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm milk and yeast, add sugar, butter, eggs, then mix in flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Knead until smooth.
- Rise and Fill: Let dough rise, prepare filling by mixing brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Roll out dough, spread filling, roll up, and form a ring.
- Final Rise and Bake: Let the cake rise again, bake until golden brown.
- Glaze and Decorate: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze, drizzle over cake, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Add plastic baby if desired.
Notes
- You can make the dough ahead and refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor.
- If you lack sanding sugar, colored sprinkles make a good substitute.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
