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Easy King Cake for Mardi Gras

A soft and festive King Cake, perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations, featuring buttery dough and colorful decorations.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup colored sugar (purple, green, yellow)
  • 1/2 cup icing sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk (for icing)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  2. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter until warm, then add to the dry ingredients.
  3. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes; let it rise for 1 hour.
  5. Roll out the dough and shape into a ring.
  6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
  7. Once cooled, mix icing sugar and 1 tablespoon milk to make icing, then drizzle over the cake.
  8. Decorate with colored sugar.

Notes

Warm liquids to about 100–110°F to activate the yeast without killing it. Don’t over-flour when kneading. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot.

  • Author: jayne
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: King Cake, Mardi Gras, dessert, bakery, festive, easy recipe