The BEST Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe – Bakery-Style at Home

Mardi Gras is more than a celebration—it’s a season filled with history, music, laughter, and deep-rooted food traditions that bring people together. At the heart of it all sits the King Cake, a sweet, yeasted bread that symbolizes joy, community, and the festive spirit of Carnival. For generations, families and bakeries across Louisiana have lovingly prepared this cake, sharing it at offices, parties, parades, and kitchen tables crowded with friends.

The King Cake traces its roots back to Europe, arriving in New Orleans with French settlers and evolving into the iconic dessert we know today. Soft and tender like a brioche, gently spiced with cinnamon, and finished with a generous coating of glaze and sparkling purple, green, and gold sugar, it’s a cake meant to be shared. Hidden inside is the traditional baby figurine—bringing luck to the finder and responsibility to provide the next cake.

This bakery-style King Cake recipe is designed for home bakers who want authentic flavor without intimidation. The dough is pillowy and rich, the filling warm and fragrant, and the final result rivals anything you’d find behind a bakery counter on Canal Street. Whether this is your first King Cake or a cherished yearly tradition, baking it yourself fills your home with irresistible aromas and the unmistakable feeling that Mardi Gras has truly arrived. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Ingredients 🧈🍞

For the Dough

• 1 cup warm whole milk (110°F / 43°C)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Cinnamon Filling

• 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decorating

• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
• 1 small plastic baby (insert after baking)

Step-by-Step Directions 👩‍🍳👑

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of the sugar and let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy. This step ensures the yeast is active and ready.
2. Add the remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
3. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly tacky but manageable.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth, elastic, and soft.
5. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Preparing the Filling

6. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and softened butter until a thick, spreadable paste forms.

Shaping the King Cake

7. Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 10 x 22 inches.
8. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border along the edges.
9. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
10. Carefully transfer the log to a parchment-lined baking sheet and shape it into an oval ring, pinching the ends together securely.
11. Cover loosely and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until slightly puffy.

Baking

12. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
13. Bake the King Cake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
14. Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing and decorating.

Glazing & Decorating

15. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
16. Spoon the glaze generously over the cooled cake, letting it drip down the sides.
17. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar in sections.
18. Once decorated, carefully insert the plastic baby into the bottom of the cake.

Notes & Traditional Tips 🎭💡

• King Cake dough should be soft—avoid adding too much flour or the cake will be dense.
• Cream cheese or fruit fillings are popular variations, but cinnamon remains the most traditional.
• Always insert the baby after baking to keep things food-safe.
• Serve King Cake slightly warm or at room temperature for best texture.
• Store loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Whoever finds the baby hosts the next King Cake party—it’s tradition! 👑

Nutritional Information 🍰📊

⏰ Prep Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Baking Time: 30 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including rising)
⚡ Calories per serving: ~380
🍽️ Servings: 10–12 slices

Approximate per slice:

• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Sugar: 25 g

#mardigraskingcake #kingcakerecipe #mardigrasdessert #neworleansbaking #bakeryathome #carnivalseason #southerntraditions #homemadebread

Bon appétit and happy cooking!