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Decadent King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

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A festive and rich king cake featuring a soft, fluffy dough filled with creamy cream cheese and topped with colorful Mardi Gras icing. Perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (480g)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (7g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F (240ml)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (57g)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (225g)
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar (90g)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (180g) for icing
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk (30-45ml) for icing
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for icing
  • Colored sanding sugars in purple, green, and gold (about 1/4 cup total)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm milk (110°F/43°C), sugar, and instant yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk flour and salt. Add softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and yeast mixture. Mix/knead until dough is smooth and elastic.
  3. Lightly oil a bowl, place dough inside, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled.
  4. Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth for the filling.
  5. Punch down risen dough, roll out on floured surface into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread cream cheese filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border.
  6. Roll dough tightly from long edge into a log, pinch seam to seal. Form ends into a ring and press to seal. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Cover loosely and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy but not doubled.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cake for 25-30 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  9. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for icing until smooth and pourable. Adjust milk for desired consistency.
  10. Drizzle icing over warm cake and sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars. Let icing set before slicing.

Notes

Use warm milk (not hot) to activate yeast properly. Chill cream cheese filling for 15 minutes if too loose before spreading. Do not rush the second rise for a tender crumb. Seal dough seams well to prevent filling leaks. Adjust icing milk gradually for perfect drizzle consistency. Avoid overbaking to keep cake soft.

Nutrition

Keywords: king cake, Mardi Gras, cream cheese filling, festive dessert, New Orleans, sweet bread, holiday baking

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/decadent-king-cake-with-cream-cheese-filling-easy-mardi-gras-recipe/