King cake is a traditional treat from New Orleans that is commonly enjoyed around Mardi Gras. Dating back to the days when French settlers came to the area, king cake is not only delicious, but fun too as a small baby trinket or bean is hidden inside the cake. To learn more about this unique and historical cake, read on to learn how to make king cake.
King Cake Background and Variations
As Lauren Thom from TWILA explains in this news report, the origins of King Cake are far reaching. Going along with the tradition, Thom goes on to talk about the tiny baby hidden in the cake and how if someone gets the baby in their slice, they are named king for the day, but also responsible for hosting or preparing the king cake next year. Additionally, she mentions the variations on the recipe, which include adding strawberry, lemon or cream cheese to the filling.
Introduction
While numerous Louisiana bakeries sell the Mardi Gras favorite king cake, it is generally only available from January 6 until Ash Wednesday. If you are looking for the cake during a different time of the year, making a king cake at home is not extremely difficult, just takes some time to gather your ingredients, bake and glaze the cake.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Brioche Ingredients |
Filling Ingredients
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Glaze Ingredients
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Step 2: Prepare King Cake
- Mix the warm water and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Allow the mixture to stand until the yeast becomes frothy.
- Combine the milk, sugar, orange zest and salt in a small bowl, then add to the yeast mixture.
- Mixing at a low speed, add in the two eggs and cinnamon, then gradually add in the flour, incorporating each portion of flour well before adding more.
- Knead the dough for 10 minutes or until slightly elastic.
- Gently mix in the butter cubes, making sure they do not melt.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover and let rise for one hour.
- Punch down the dough, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare the filling by combining the brown sugar, cane syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and salt in a medium bowl and mix until well incorporated.
- Roll the refrigerated dough into a long rectangle, approximately 16"x8".
- Spread the filling over the cake, leaving about an inch on the edges of the dough uncovered.
- Place the baby trinket somewhere on top of the filling, then roll the dough.
- Pinch the seam together, then form a ring with the dough, seam side down. Pinch the ends of the ring together.
- Place the dough on a baking sheet, cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes.
- Brush the egg and water mix over the dough, then bake for 30 minutes.
- Cool the cake on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Glaze King Cake
- While the cake is cooling, combine the bourbon and powdered sugar in a small bowl.
- Add enough water to thin the glaze into a drizzle.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cake.
- Sprinkle the colored sugars over the cake in alternating colors.
- Slice, making note if possible not to cut through the baby trinket.
- Serve and enjoy!
