Mardi Gras King Cake (Printable version)

A colorful brioche ring filled with creamy, sweet cheese and topped with vibrant sugar for festive gatherings.

# List of ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
03 - ½ cup granulated sugar
04 - ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
05 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Cream Cheese Filling

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

→ Icing & Decoration

13 - 2 cups powdered sugar
14 - 3–4 tablespoons milk
15 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar

# Directions:

01 - Combine warm milk and yeast in a small bowl. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
02 - Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
03 - Add yeast mixture, eggs, and softened butter to dry ingredients. Mix until dough forms.
04 - Knead on floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
05 - Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1–1½ hours.
06 - Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
07 - Punch down risen dough and roll into 10x24-inch rectangle.
08 - Spread cream cheese filling evenly over dough, leaving 1-inch border.
09 - Roll tightly from long side into log, pinch seam to seal, then form into ring on parchment-lined baking sheet. Pinch ends together.
10 - Cover and let rise 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.
11 - Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.
12 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
13 - Drizzle icing over cooled cake. Sprinkle colored sugars in alternating sections while icing is wet.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The brioche dough creates impossibly tender layers that melt in your mouth
  • That moment you hide the baby inside feels like plotting a wonderful surprise
  • It fills your home with the most incredible cinnamon and vanilla aroma
02 -
  • The dough should feel tacky but not sticky after kneading, add flour sparingly if needed
  • Hide the plastic baby in the underside after baking so it does not show through the dough
  • Work quickly once you spread the filling, as the cream cheese can soften the dough fast
03 -
  • If your dough is not rising, move it to a warmer spot or preheat your oven for 1 minute then turn it off and place the dough inside
  • The colored sugar sticks best to wet icing, so work in sections and add sugar immediately after drizzling

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