🎭 How to Make the Perfect King Cake at Home (Step-by-Step Guide)

Get ready to bake something magical! This King Cake Recipe brings the colors, joy, and flavors of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras right to your kitchen. With a swirl of cinnamon, a hint of vanilla, and vibrant icing in purple, green, and gold, this festive dessert is as fun to make as it is to eat!

🎭 What Is King Cake?

The King Cake is more than just a dessert — it’s a New Orleans tradition! Celebrated during Mardi Gras and Epiphany, this sweet, ring-shaped cake hides a tiny plastic baby inside. Whoever finds it is crowned the King or Queen of the day and is believed to have good luck!

This Homemade King Cake Recipe is soft, buttery, and lightly sweet, with layers of cinnamon-sugar goodness. It’s perfect for brunches, parties, or any day you want to feel festive!

🧈 Ingredients

For the Dough

1 cup warm milk (110°F)
2¼ tsp active dry yeast
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup melted unsalted butter
5 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

For the Filling

1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
½ cup melted butter

For the Icing

2 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Purple, green, and gold sugars

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar in a small bowl. Let it rest for 10 minutes until frothy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Combine melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest. Add flour and salt gradually until a smooth dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes. Let it rise for 1 hour.

Step 3: Roll and Fill

Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll tightly into a log and shape it into a ring.

Step 4: Rise Again

Place on a lined baking tray and let it rise for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes or until golden. Let cool.

Step 6: Decorate

Mix icing and drizzle over the cooled cake. Sprinkle purple, green, and gold sugar. Hide the baby inside one slice if you like!

💡 Baking Tips

Use real butter for the best flavor.
Let the dough rise fully for a soft, fluffy texture.
You can fill it with cream cheese or praline for a richer version.
Always cool before icing — melted icing won’t hold color well.

⏱️ Prep & Cook Time

Prep Time: 25 mins
Rise Time: 90 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total: 2 hrs 25 mins

🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein
320	48g	10g	6g

🎉 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This King Cake Recipe brings together the joy of baking and the spirit of celebration. Every slice feels like a festival — buttery, sweet, and full of tradition.

Whether it’s Mardi Gras, a birthday, or just a fun weekend bake, this cake will be the crown jewel of your kitchen!

💬 Join the Party!

Tried this recipe? Share your experience in the comments!
Don’t forget to tag your colorful cake photos on Instagram with #KewlRecipes — we love seeing your creations!