Festive Mardi Gras King Cake With Cinnamon Filling Recipe

Sweet traditions come alive with this Mardi Gras king cake that brings New Orleans flavor straight to your kitchen.

Colorful sprinkles dance across golden pastry, signaling a festive celebration.

Soft dough wrapped around rich cinnamon filling creates a delightful twist on classic carnival treats.

Louisiana bakers have perfected this cultural delicacy over generations, blending European and local influences.

Warm spices and buttery layers promise a memorable experience for anyone seeking authentic southern charm.

Unexpected pockets of sweet cinnamon will surprise you with each delectable bite.

Join the carnival spirit and craft this delicious masterpiece that connects you to centuries of culinary magic.

What Makes Mardi Gras King Cake with Cinnamon Filling Great

• Celebrate Cultural Tradition: Dive into the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras with this authentic king cake that brings New Orleans festivity right to your kitchen.
• Master Baker's Delight: Enjoy a baking experience that requires basic skills, making it perfect for home cooks wanting to explore traditional pastry techniques.
• Family Fun Baking Project: Create delicious memories together by involving kids in mixing, rolling, and decorating this colorful and interactive dessert.
• Festive Party Showstopper: Impress guests with a stunning dessert that not only tastes amazing but also serves as a beautiful centerpiece for celebrations and gatherings.

Ingredients for Mardi Gras King Cake with Cinnamon

• Flour: The primary base that provides structure and texture for the King Cake.
• Milk: Helps activate the yeast and adds moisture to the dough.
• Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise and creating a light, fluffy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's richness.
• Butter: Adds flavor and helps create a tender, soft cake.

• Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Create a sweet and spicy filling that gives the King Cake its classic flavor profile.

• Salt, Sugar: Enhance the overall taste and help balance the cake's flavors.

How to Make Mardi Gras King Cake with Cinnamon

Step 1: Activate Yeast Mixture

Gently warm milk to about 110°F. Sprinkle yeast into the warm milk and let it sit until it becomes foamy and bubbly, which takes approximately 5 minutes.

Step 2: Create Soft Dough

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, eggs, melted butter, and the activated yeast mixture. Stir and knead until a soft, pliable dough forms.

Step 3: First Dough Rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour until the dough doubles in size.

Step 4: Prepare Cinnamon Filling

Mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl to create a fragrant filling mixture.

Step 5: Roll and Fill Dough

On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangular shape.

Brush the surface with melted butter and generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture across the dough.

Step 6: Shape the Cake

Carefully roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a log.

Shape the log into an oval ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 7: Final Rise and Bake

Let the shaped cake rest while preheating the oven to 350°F.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cake turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Cool and Decorate

Allow the king cake to cool completely before adding your favorite icing or decorative sugars.

Helpful Tips for King Cake Baking Success

• Ensure milk is precisely 110F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating a soft, fluffy texture.
• Knead until smooth and elastic, preventing a dense cake by developing proper gluten structure.
• Spread melted butter evenly before sprinkling cinnamon mixture to guarantee rich, consistent flavor in every bite.
• Watch cake closely during last 5 minutes of baking to achieve golden-brown color without overcooking.
• Allow cake to cool completely before icing to prevent runny, transparent glaze and maintain beautiful decoration.

Variations for Mardi Gras King Cake to Try

• Gluten-Free King Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan King Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and choose dairy-free milk alternatives.
• Low-Sugar King Cake: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a diabetic-friendly version.
• Chocolate Lovers' King Cake: Add cocoa powder to filling and swap cinnamon with chocolate chips for a rich variation.

Pairing Suggestions for Mardi Gras King Cake

Sip a classic New Orleans café au lait or chicory coffee alongside the king cake, matching its sweet cinnamon notes with rich, smooth coffee flavors.

Choose a sweet moscato or riesling wine that balances the cake’s sugary profile and enhances its festive Louisiana-style essence.

Mix a hurricane cocktail featuring rum and fruit juices, echoing the vibrant Mardi Gras spirit and providing a zesty contrast to the cake’s warm spices.

Serve small beignets as a traditional New Orleans side, creating a delightful texture and flavor experience that celebrates Louisiana’s culinary heritage.

Storing Mardi Gras King Cake Properly

• Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place in freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Avoid adding icing before freezing.
• Remove from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Unwrap carefully to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm gently in oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes. Restore moisture by placing a damp paper towel over cake during reheating. Avoid microwave to prevent drying out.

FAQs

• What is a King Cake tradition?

King Cake is a festive pastry closely associated with Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, traditionally served between January 6th and Fat Tuesday. A small plastic baby figurine is hidden inside the cake, and whoever finds it must host the next party or buy the next cake.

• How do I know if my yeast is active?

Your yeast is active when it becomes foamy after 5 minutes in warm milk. If no foam develops, the yeast might be expired or the liquid was too hot or cold, which kills the yeast’s ability to rise.

• Why do I need to knead the dough?

Kneading develops gluten, which gives the King Cake its soft, stretchy texture. Proper kneading ensures a light, airy cake with good structure and consistent crumb.

Mardi Gras King Cake With Cinnamon Filling Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mardi Gras King Cake celebrates New Orleans’ festive spirit with rich cinnamon swirls and colorful sugar sprinkles. Carnival season comes alive in this sweet, tradition-packed pastry that invites you to savor Louisiana’s most delightful cultural celebration.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 12 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup warm milk

Filling and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Frosting and Flavoring:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

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Instructions

1. Gently heat milk to 110F, then activate yeast by stirring into warm liquid and allowing to bloom for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. Combine flour, sugar, salt, eggs, melted butter, and activated yeast mixture in a large mixing bowl, kneading until a cohesive, elastic dough develops.
3. Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm environment for approximately 60 minutes or until volume doubles.
4. Create cinnamon filling by thoroughly blending brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
5. Flatten risen dough into a rectangular shape using a rolling pin, then generously brush surface with melted butter.
6. Evenly distribute cinnamon-sugar mixture across buttered dough, then carefully roll into a tight cylindrical shape.
7. Form rolled dough into a circular ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring smooth and even placement.
8. Allow shaped cake to rest while preheating oven to 350F.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and appears thoroughly cooked.
10. Remove from oven and allow cake to cool completely before applying decorative icing.

Notes

• Activate yeast carefully by using warm milk at precise temperature to ensure proper rising and soft texture.
• Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a tender and stretchy cake with consistent crumb structure.
• For dietary modifications, swap wheat flour with gluten-free blend or almond flour to accommodate different nutritional needs.
• Customize filling by experimenting with alternative spices like cardamom or nutmeg to add unique flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Cajun Creole

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 372 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 123 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg