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King Cake

Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Rising Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, cinnamon, king cake, Mardi Gras, recipe
Servings: 10 Slices
Author: Country Girl
Cost: $5

Ingredients

  • For the dough:
  • 2 TBSP butter
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 5 TBSP sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1 egg
  • 3 – 3 1/2 cups flour
  • For the filling:
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 TBSP butter melted
  • For the icing:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 TBSP butter melted
  • 4 TBSP milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cooled sugar green, yellow and purple

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl combine yeast with warm water and 1 TBSP sugar. Stir to combine. Allow to sit approximately 5 minutes, until foamy.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat butter, 4 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt over medium high heat.
  • When the butter melts, add the sour cream and heat to 105°.
  • Add butter and sour cream mixture into yeast mixture.
  • Whisk in egg and 1 cup of flour until smooth.
  • Gradually mix in the remaining flour with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. This will take at least 2 cups of flour. You want the dough to be sticky, but not tacky. Add in the extra 1/2 cup of flour if necessary to achieve the right consistency.
  • On a lightly floured surface, knead dough for 5 – 10 minutes, until it becomes elastic, adding more flour by teaspoon, if needed.
  • Form dough into a ball and place in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Roll dough around to coat entire surface with oil.
  • Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft free area to rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
  • Make the filling by combining melted butter, cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
  • After the dough has risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Roll dough out to an approximately 18×14 inch rectangle.
  • Spread filling onto dough, leaving a border of about 1 inch all the way around.
  • Roll the dough, starting with the long edge, jellyroll style. Pinch the seams together.
  • Carefully place roll, seam side down, onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bring ends of roll together, forming a circle shape. Press the ends together to completely seal the circle shape.
  • Cover dough with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Place in a warm, draft free place and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375°
  • After the second rise, remove the plastic wrap and bake for 25 minutes, until cake is golden brown.
  • Immediately transfer cake to cooling rack. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
  • To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, salt, vanilla, melted butter and milk until smooth.
  • After 15 minutes, turn cake over and insert plastic baby through the bottom of the cake.
  • Turn the cake right side up and place on parchment paper to catch any icing and sugar used to finish cake.
  • Drizzle icing evenly over cake, allowing it to ooze down the sides.
  • Before icing has a chance to set, sprinkle colored sugar in stripes around the cake.
  • Remove cake from parchment paper and place on platter for serving.