Learn how to make a king cake at home, and bring the party to your house this year.
Ingredients
Cake:
1/2cupwarm water (105F to 115F)
2(1/4-oz.)
package active dry yeast
1/2cupplus 2 tsp.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
Shape dough:
Punch down dough, and place on a lightly floured work surface.
(If desired, sprinkle with candied citron; knead until citron is evenly distributed.)
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Shape dough into a cylinder 30 inches long.
Press pecan half gently into dough ring from underside of dough so it is completely hidden inside the dough.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F.
Bake Cake:
Bake Cake in preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
Let cool on baking sheet 30 minutes.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Add Glaze and sugar:
Drizzle Cake with Glaze.
Sprinkle with sanding sugar, alternating colors.
What Is King Cake?
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
King cake is a traditional dessert served forMardi Gras, particularly in Louisiana and other Southern states.
King cakes can vary based on where they’re made, featuring a variety of fillings and flavors.
Active dry yeast, a few special flavorings, powdered sugar, and sanding sugars round out the list.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Can I Make Mardi Gras King Cake Ahead?
To prepare king cake ahead, prepare the dough through Step 3.
Instead of setting the dough aside to rise, cover and transfer to the refrigerator to rise slowly overnight.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
The next day, bring the dough to room temperature and continue with the recipe as written.
King cake can also be baked up to one day ahead.
Wrap tightly and store at room temperature.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Glaze fresh before serving for the best presentation.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to four days, or freeze for up to two months.
Bring to room temperature before serving.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Note that the sanding sugar may begin to bleed over time.
Traditionally, king cake is eaten with others as part of a celebration.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
