Mardi Gras King Cake Filling (Printable version)

Sweet bread filled with cream cheese, decorated with Mardi Gras sugars in festive colors.

# List of ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
02 - 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 - ½ cup granulated sugar
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
05 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
06 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Cream Cheese Filling

10 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
11 - ½ cup powdered sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Egg Wash

13 - 1 large egg
14 - 1 tablespoon milk

→ Icing

15 - 2 cups powdered sugar
16 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
17 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Decoration

18 - Purple, green, and gold colored sugars

# Directions:

01 - Whisk warm milk and yeast in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon to yeast mixture. Mix well.
03 - Gradually add flour, mixing until soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
05 - Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
06 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on floured surface into 10x20-inch rectangle.
07 - Spread cream cheese filling evenly over dough, leaving 1-inch border.
08 - Roll dough tightly from long side, pinch seam to seal, then form into ring and pinch ends together.
09 - Place on lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes.
10 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
11 - Whisk egg and milk together, then brush evenly over cake.
12 - Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.
13 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
14 - Drizzle icing over cooled cake and immediately sprinkle colored sugars in alternating sections.
15 - Optional: Insert small plastic baby or dried bean into cake from underside after baking.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cream cheese filling creates this incredible tangy sweetness that cuts through the rich bread perfectly
  • It's one of those desserts that looks impressive but comes together with patience rather than expert technique
  • The ritual of hiding the baby inside makes every slice an exciting moment for your guests
02 -
  • Underbaked is better than overbaked, the center continues cooking as it cools
  • The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky, not dry like sandwich bread dough
  • Room temperature ingredients are your friend, they incorporate so much better
  • If the colored sugars aren't sticking, the icing might be too dry or the cake too cool
03 -
  • A kitchen warmed by the oven or a sunny spot is perfect for rising
  • Use a ruler when rolling the dough to ensure even thickness
  • Pinch your seams aggressively, no one wants filling escape

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