Fat Tuesday is different this year, but you can make the best of it with good food–like this quick and easy King Cake recipe for Mardi Gras!
Wishing you a fun Fat Tuesday with a plastic baby in your slice of King Cake, and all the good fortune it brings!
What Is King Cake?
King Cake is the first Mardi Gras dessert that I think of each year. It’s basically a circular coffee cake.
The King Cake tradition states that it was originally created as a gift for the Three Kings, at the end of Epiphany.
The plastic baby symbolizes baby Jesus, and it is said that whoever finds the King Cake baby in their slice will have good luck!
Seriously, though, how gorgeous is King Cake?! Almost too pretty to eat!
How To Make A King Cake For Mardi Gras
It isn’t Mardi Gras without King Cake! This festive, sweet treat is so much fun for the whole family to make and enjoy together!
This King Cake Recipe
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Serves: 14-16
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
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Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
King Cake is made from basic pantry staples.
Ingredients – King Cake
Here is everything you need to make your own Kin Cake for your at-home Mardi Gras festivities!
Cake:
- 1 packet (.25 ounce) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water, 110-115 degrees F
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 ½-4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk, warm 110-115 degrees F
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk, depending on consistency
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla
Decoration:
- mini plastic baby
- Colored sugar – purple, yellow and green
King Cake is so easy to make, that it’a quick and cheap way to celebrate Mardi Gras at home!
Step 1
Heat ¼ cup water to 100-110 degrees F.
Step 2
Add yeast and sugar.
Step 3
Stir gently just to coat yeast.
Step 4
Let set to proof for 5-10 minutes or until bubbly.
Step 5
Add ¼ cup sugar, butter, milk, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour.
Step 6
Beat until smooth.
As you bake your King Cake, tell your kids the story behind it!
Step 7
Gradually add more flour until dough forms soft ball, it will be sticky.
Step 8
Turn dough onto floured surface and knead until dough is smooth and elastic.
If your King Cake dough is too sticky, add a little flour as you work with it.
Step 9
Form into ball and place in greased bowl, turn dough over to coat other side.
Cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm (but not too hot) area.
Step 10
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 45-60 minutes until dough is doubled in size.
Once your King Cake dough has doubled in size, it’s time to shape your cake!
Step 11
Punch dough down and turn onto lightly floured surface.
Step 12
Roll into rectangle 10×20 inches.
Try not to eat all of the yummy cinnamon and brown sugar King Cake filling (it’s hard not to!).
Making The King Cake Filling
Step 1
In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.
Step 2
Melt butter and add to mixture.
Step 3
Stir until well combined.
Step 4
Sprinkle evenly over dough leaving ½ inch around the edges.
Step 5
Prepare baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper.
This part is so satisfying, haha! I love rolling it up and seeing my King Cake come together!
Step 6
Roll dough beginning on the long side, jelly-roll style, pinch seam to seal.
The circular shape of King Cake represents the journey of The Three Kings. Cool, huh?
Step 7
Place on baking sheet and form a circle, pinching the edges together tightly.
Step 8
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 45-60 minutes or until almost double in size.
Step 9
About 20 minutes before rise is done, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 10
Bake 25-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 11
Cool on a wire rack.
It isn’t King Cake without that sweet, colorful glaze. Yum!
King Cake Glaze Instructions
Step 1
In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and desired consistency.
Step 2
Spoon glaze onto cooled cake and add colored sugar for decoration.
Step 3
Don’t forget to add the baby inside!
Swap out just a few ingredients to make a gluten free King Cake!
How to Make A Gluten Free King Cake
Gluten allergies and sensitivities don’t have to keep you from enjoying a yummy slice (0r two!) of King Cake.
To Make Gluten Free King Cake:
- Use gluten free all-purpose flour instead of regular all-purpose flour.
- Double check all of your other ingredients to make sure they are gluten free, to be safe!
It’s so easy to make vegan King Cake with just a few ingredient replacements!
Vegan King Cake
Vegan King Cake will take a little bit more work, as far as finding substitutions, but it’s totally doable!
To Make Vegan King Cake:
- Replace cow’s milk with a plant-based milk of your choice.
- Swap out traditional butter for a vegan butter.
- Use a plant-based egg replacer from the store instead of eggs.
Kids will have a blast making their own mask for Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras Crafts, Recipes, & Activities For Kids
Celebrate Mardi Gras at home with your family with tons of fun crafts and activities you can share while making memories!
Have you ever baked King Cake before? Share your favorite tips!
Source: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/163780/quick-and-easy-king-cake-recipe-for-mardi-gras/
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