Mardi Gras King Cake (Print version)

Colorful brioche-style cake with cream cheese filling, decorated with vibrant Mardi Gras sugar toppings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
02 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Cream Cheese Filling

11 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Glaze & Decoration

14 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
15 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
16 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar

# How To Make It:

01 - Whisk warm milk with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle yeast over 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 sticky dough forms.
03 - Knead dough by hand or with mixer dough hook for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm area until doubled in bulk, about 1–1.5 hours.
04 - Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy while dough rises.
05 - Punch down risen dough. Roll into 10x20-inch rectangle on floured surface. Spread filling along one long edge, leaving 1-inch border. Roll tightly jelly-roll style from filled edge and pinch seam to seal.
06 - Shape roll into ring by pinching ends together. Place seam-side down on parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until puffy, approximately 45–60 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled cake. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in alternating sections.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The brioche dough creates impossibly tender strands that pull apart like warm clouds
  • Cream cheese filling transforms every bite into something rich and celebratory
  • Sprinkling those colored sugars feels like painting edible confetti
02 -
  • Hiding the plastic baby inside after baking prevents it from melting or becoming a choking hazard during cooking
  • The dough needs proper rising time or your king cake will be dense and bread-like instead of light and tender
  • Let the glaze set slightly before slicing or you will have a messy situation on your serving plate
03 -
  • If your dough is too sticky to handle, dust your hands with flour rather than adding more to the dough
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable for proper dough development and smooth filling

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