If you are looking for a delicious easy king cake recipe, then you have come to the right place. This recipe celebrates Mardi Gras and it is a festive celebration cake. It is a yeast dough filled with a sweet nutty filling.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- It will make you feel like you are in New Orleans!
- Our easy king cake recipe is easy to make and super festive.
- Easy king cake is full of flavor, light, and airy.
- Everyone will love this celebration cake.
Ingredients
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Dough
- 1 frozen bread dough or 12 Rhodes rolls, thawed to room temperature Note 1
- all-purpose flour - for shaping the dough just a sprinkle is needed
King Cake Filling
- ½ cup golden raisins
- ½ cup hot water
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 orange zest, finely chopped Note 2
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon rum extract
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- purple sprinkles
- green sprinkles
- yellow sprinkles
- tiny plastic baby, garnish
- non-stick baking spray
Equipment
- rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Rolling Pin
- Cooling Racks
- Wooden Spoon
- Zester
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray parchment paper with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, add the raisins. Pour hot water over the raisins and set them aside.
Prepare the dough
- On a floured work surface, shape the dough into a 17" circle. Use your hands to gently tear an opening in the center of the circle about 5" wide.
- Flatten the dough using either a rolling pin or your hands to make a flat circle. Set aside.
Prepare the filling
- Drain the water from the raisins. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine together light brown, orange zest, pecans, raisins, and rum extract. Spoon the mixture around the middle of the circle.
- Wrap the dough from the outside of the circle to the inside of the circular shape. Pinching the dough together to seal it and tucking the edges under the middle of the dough.
Completing the cake
- Spray the top of the dough with non-stick spray and cover with plastic wrap. Place the dough in a draft-free location for 30 minutes to allow the cake to rise.
- While the cake is rising. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- After the cake has risen, bake in the preheated oven for 15 -20 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown. Remove from the oven. Place the baking sheet on a wire rack to allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze.
Make the glaze
- In a medium bowl, mix together confectioners sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the entire cake, allowing some to drip down the sides of the cake.
- Sprinkle the colored sprinkles on the glaze, alternating the colors as you decorate.
- Prior to serving, insert the baby somewhere under the cake.
- Slice, serve, enjoy!
Storage
Store cake in an airtight covered container for up to 4 days. The cake does not need to be refrigerated.
Freezer: Leftovers can be stored in a freezer bag or in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Defrost in the refrigerator and warm up the cake in the oven, at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until warm.
Expert Tips
Expert Tip: If you want to hide a baby in this king cake, I recommend hiding it after it is baked. Stick the baby in through the bottom of the cake, so that it can't be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cake represents the 3 Kings who bring gifts to Jesus when he is born.
I ordered mine on Amazon, but you can also find them at your local craft store.
There is a plastic baby baked into the cake. Whoever gets the slice with the baby will either bring the cake to the next celebration or have a party. So there is always a celebration.
📖 Variations
- Instead of raisins, use 1 cup of white chocolate chips.
- Lemon zest can be used in place of orange zest if you prefer. The orange zest really gives this recipe the best flavor.
- Change up the topping for this cake by adding chocolate drizzle to the top.
- If you cannot find frozen yeast bread dough at your local grocery store, you can use yeast rolls, or you can use homemade yeast bread dough.
- Instead of sprinkles, dust the top with powdered sugar for a more natural look.
Serving Suggestions
For a tasty dinner, try our Instant Pot Gumbo made with shrimp and andouille sausage.
Another choice that we love is our Low-Carb Jambalaya.
This Best King Cake Recipe is delicious when served with a cup of Hot Chocolate or Irish coffee for the adults along with fresh whipped or even cut-up fruit.
Similar recipes
- Chocolate Apple Cake is gooey, rich, and such an amazing dessert recipe.
- Cast Iron Pineapple Upside Down Cake is an old-fashioned recipe that is just like Grandma used to make.
- Tres Leches Cake is a light sponge cake that is topped with sweet creamy frosting the entire family will love this cake.
- If you love a sweet citrusy and moist cake you may want to give this Lemon Yogurt Cake recipe a try.
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Easy King Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray parchment paper with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, add the raisins. Pour hot water over the raisins and set aside.
- On a floured work surface, shape the dough into a 17" circle. Use your hands to gently tear an opening in the center of the circle about 5" wide.
- Flatten the dough using either a rolling pin or your hands to make a flat circle. Set aside.
- Drain the water from the raisins. Set aside.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine together light brown, orange zest, pecans, raisins, and rum extract. Spoon the mixture around the middle of the circle.
- Wrap the dough from the outside of the circle to the inside of the circular shape. Pinching the dough together to seal it and tucking the edges under the middle of the dough.
- Spray the top of the dough with non-stick spray and cover with plastic wrap. Place the dough in a draft free location for 30 minutes to allow the cake to rise.
- While the cake is rising. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- After the cake has risen, bake in the preheated oven for 15 -20 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown. Remove from the oven. Place the baking sheet on a wire rack to allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze.
- In a medium bowl, mix together confectioners sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the entire cake, allowing some to drip down the sides of the cake.
- Sprinkle the colored sprinkles on the glaze, alternating the colors as you decorate.
- Prior to serving, insert the baby somewhere under the cake.
- Slice, serve, enjoy!
