Mardi Gras King Cake (Printable View)
A colorful brioche cake featuring a creamy filling and vibrant sugar topping inspired by Mardi Gras festivities.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 1/2 cup whole milk, warm (110°F)
02 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Cream Cheese Filling
11 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Glaze and Decoration
14 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
15 - 2-3 tbsp milk
16 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
17 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk warm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle yeast over the surface and let stand until foamy, approximately 5-10 minutes.
02 - Combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Add melted butter, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and activated yeast mixture. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
03 - Knead dough by hand or with mixer using dough hook for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm location until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
04 - Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside until dough is ready.
05 - Punch down risen dough. Roll into a 10x20 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread cream cheese filling along one long edge, leaving a 1-inch border.
06 - Roll dough tightly jelly-roll style starting from the filling edge. Pinch seam to seal. Shape into a ring by connecting ends and pinching together. Place seam side down on parchment-lined baking sheet.
07 - Cover and let rise until puffy, approximately 45-60 minutes.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled cake and immediately sprinkle with alternating sections of purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The brioche dough is impossibly tender, almost melting in your mouth
- Cream cheese filling adds an unexpected tangy richness that balances the sweet dough
- Watching people search for the baby turns dessert into a genuine party game
02 -
- Underproofed dough will be dense and heavy, so be patient with both rises
- Seal the filling edge tightly or cream cheese will leak during baking
- Pinch the ring ends together firmly because they tend to separate in the oven
- Add the plastic baby after baking through the bottom so it stays hidden and safe
03 -
- Brush the risen ring with egg wash before baking for an extra glossy finish
- Warm your measuring cup with hot water before measuring milk to maintain temperature
- If colored sugar is unavailable, make your own with gel food coloring and regular sugar