Total Cooking Time: 3 hours (including rising time)
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Few desserts carry as much history, celebration, and pure joy as an authentic New Orleans King Cake. Soft, buttery dough twisted into a ring, filled with cinnamon-sugar goodness, and topped with thick white icing and sparkling purple, green, and gold sugars—this cake is the heart of Mardi Gras season. The aroma alone is unforgettable: warm yeast dough, vanilla, butter, and spice drifting through the kitchen like a promise of something special.
This recipe is beloved because it stays true to tradition while remaining approachable for home bakers. It delivers that bakery-style texture—pillowy inside with a lightly golden exterior—and the familiar flavor locals crave every Carnival season. King Cake is perfect for Mardi Gras parties, office gatherings, family breakfasts, or any day that calls for something festive. One slice is usually around 300–350 calories, depending on filling and icing, making it an indulgence meant to be shared.
Key Ingredients
An authentic King Cake relies on simple ingredients used carefully to create rich flavor and soft texture.
All-Purpose Flour – Forms the structure of the cake while keeping the crumb tender.
Active Dry Yeast – Gives the cake its signature light, fluffy rise.
Warm Milk – Activates the yeast and adds softness to the dough.
Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast.
Unsalted Butter – Adds richness, moisture, and that classic bakery flavor.
Eggs – Create structure and a soft, enriched texture.
Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and depth.
Ground Cinnamon – The heart of the traditional filling flavor.
Brown Sugar – Brings caramel notes to the filling.
Cream Cheese (optional filling) – Adds richness and tang if desired.
Powdered Sugar – Forms the base of the iconic icing.
Milk or Cream (for icing) – Creates a thick, pourable glaze.
Purple, Green, and Gold Sugars – Traditional Mardi Gras colors symbolizing justice, faith, and power.
Plastic Baby (optional) – The traditional hidden token baked into or tucked under the cake.
How to Make It (Step-by-Step Method)
Begin by activating the yeast. Warm the milk to about 110°F—warm but not hot. Stir in a tablespoon of sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures your yeast is alive and ready.
In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the remaining sugar, melted butter (cooled slightly), eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir until combined. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes by hand or 5–6 minutes with a mixer fitted with a dough hook. The dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
While the dough rises, prepare the filling. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. If using cream cheese, beat it with a little sugar and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Spread softened butter over the surface, then sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Add cream cheese filling if using.
Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Bring the ends together to form a ring and pinch to seal. Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the King Cake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant. Let it cool completely before icing.
For the icing, whisk powdered sugar with milk or cream until thick but pourable. Drizzle generously over the cooled cake. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugars in sections. Insert the plastic baby underneath the cake after baking if desired.
Serving Suggestions
King Cake is meant to be the centerpiece of celebration, and serving it with intention makes it even more special. Traditionally, it’s placed on a large platter or cake board, fully decorated and sliced just before serving so the colors stay vibrant and the icing glossy. A simple serrated knife works best to keep slices neat.
For Mardi Gras parties, serve King Cake alongside coffee, chicory coffee, or hot chocolate. It also pairs beautifully with fresh fruit to balance the richness. If you’re hosting a crowd, label the cake with a small sign explaining the tradition of the baby and what it symbolizes—it adds a fun, interactive element guests love.
King Cake also works wonderfully for breakfast or brunch. Serve slightly warmed slices with butter or cream cheese on the side for an indulgent start to the day. Leftover slices can be toasted lightly for a new texture that still feels festive.
Storage + Meal Prep
King Cake is best enjoyed fresh, but it stores well with a little care. Keep leftover cake tightly wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration may be better, especially for cream cheese–filled cakes.
To refrigerate, wrap slices individually or store the whole cake covered for up to 4–5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving, or warm gently in the oven at 300°F for 5–10 minutes. Avoid microwaving iced cake, as it can melt the glaze unevenly.
The dough can be made a day ahead and refrigerated after the first rise. Simply punch it down, wrap tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking. King Cake can also be frozen un-iced for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, warm slightly, then ice and decorate fresh.
Conclusion
An authentic New Orleans King Cake is more than a recipe—it’s a celebration of culture, tradition, and togetherness. From the soft, buttery dough to the cinnamon-sugar filling and vibrant Mardi Gras colors, every detail tells a story rooted in joy and community.
Whether you’re honoring tradition or making your first King Cake at home, this recipe delivers the flavor and texture everyone loves. Share it with friends, family, or coworkers, and don’t forget the fun of discovering the baby inside. Once you bake it from scratch, you’ll understand why this iconic cake holds such a special place in New Orleans hearts—and why it disappears so quickly every time it’s served.
