It’s Mardi Gras time! Mardi Gras encourages fun and feasting. No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a colorful Mardi Gras King Cake. Just one bite will prove why this recipe is a must-have for any Mardi Gras celebration!

King cake is a circle or oval-shaped sweet yeast bread that sometimes contains a filling and is usually decorated with vibrant purple, green, and gold sugar or icing.

The roots of this fun treat can be traced back to Europe. However, the current New Orleans version reflects many differences that make it a truly American cake – and experience!

What is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in French. This unique celebration happens right before Lent (a six-week-long religious fast before Easter) starts.

In stark contrast to Lent, which promotes denying yourself as a way to get closer to God, Mardi Gras is all about indulgence!

Carnival celebrations start on January 6 (aka the Christian feast of Epiphany or King’s Day or Three King’s Day), the date marking the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Mardi Gras ends on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday & the first day of Lent).

It may be called “fat Tuesday,” but in New Orleans, the celebrations can last anywhere from 4-8 weeks, depending on when Easter falls (which determines when Lent starts).

When should you eat a king cake?

Eating king cake, a messy, breaded treat, is a major Mardi Gras tradition that begins on January 6 and is enjoyed through Mardi Gras.

Of course, you don’t need to live in Louisiana to enjoy this Mardi Gras King Cake. We live in Colorado and love the tradition!

Up until this year, we got our King Cakes from a local bakery that specializes in pastries. Yum! But I wanted to try making one myself.

Picture sweet roll dough that’s braided, baked in a circle shape, and decorated with the Mari Gras colors: purple, green, and gold. It’s basically a braided cinnamon roll in the shape of a crown and ready to party!

Traditionally a King Cake has a tiny, plastic baby figurine hidden inside the cake. Tradition says that whoever finds the baby in their piece will be the host of the party next year.

How To Make This Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

I decided it was long past time that I learn how to make a King Cake, so I did some research and some experimenting and came up with this recipe that I’m proud to share with you!

Eat your heart out as you indulge in this Mardi Gras!

Equipment Needed

• Stand Mixer & Paddle Attachment 
• Bench Scraper
• Small Bowls 
• Liquid measuring cup
• Dry Measuring cups 
• Fork or small whisk 
• Pastry Brush 
• King Cake Baby

Ingredients Needed

For the dough:
1 cup warm milk
1 packet instant rise yeast
1⁄4 cup melted butter
1⁄4 cup granulated sugar + 1tbsp separated 2 large eggs
1⁄2 tsp salt
4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp olive oil

For the filling:
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter 1⁄2 cup chopped pecans

For the icing:
1.5 cup powdered sugar 1.5 tablespoons milk
1⁄2 tsp vanilla

How To Make A King Cake For Mardi Gras

Ok, heads up. This recipe looks long and complicated, but it’s really much easier than you may realize at first glance. Just follow it step-by-step, and you’ll be fine!

If you want a quicker version, try these Mardi Gras cupcakes!

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

Step 2

Remove egg from fridge and place into a bowl of warm water for 5 mins to bring it up to room temperature.

Step 3

Add warm milk, yeast, and sugar to a bowl and stir with a fork or whisk. Let it sit for 5-10 mins.

NOTE: If the yeast does not begin to bubble or grow in size, throw it out and start over.

Step 4

After 10 mins, pour yeast mixture, eggs, melted butter into the bottom of your stand mixer – or whisk by hand.

Step 5

Mix until combined, then add flour, sugar, salt, and flour.

Mix until well incorporated.

Step 6

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead* for 5-7 mins.

Step 7

After the dough ball is nice and smooth, place 2 tbsp olive oil in the bottom of a large bowl and place dough on top.

Cover and let rise in a warm place (preferably near the oven) for 60 mins.

Step 8

After 60 mins, punch dough down to release the air.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead once again for 1-2 mins.

Step 9

Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 20 inches long.

Step 10

Brush on softened butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Cover the entire dough.

Sprinkle on pecans (this is optional)

Step 11

Tightly roll the dough longways, in a similar fashion to a jelly roll.

Tip: If you need to use a bench scraper because your dough is sticking, use one.

Step 12

Transfer your Mardi Gras King cake dough to a parchment-lined baking dish. Bring the two ends together in a circle or oval shape and seal with water or milk.

Step 13

Cover and let rise for an additional 60 mins.

Brush with milk before baking. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 25-30 mins or until golden brown.

Step 14

Let the cake cool for 15-20 mins.

How To Decorate Your Mardi Gras King Cake

To make the glaze, combine powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Icing should be thick but pourable.

Traditionally a plastic baby is added to the cake at this point. Cut a small slit into the inside or outer side of the dough and slide in the plastic baby.

Drizzle or pour glaze over the King cake. Sprinkle with green, yellow, and purple sanding sugar!

Serve and enjoy!

Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe Notes & Tips

To knead, use the taco method. Fold over and press together. Fold over and press together.

Brush on the butter melted or softened. Mix the butter with the brown sugar and cinnamon as a paste and added to the dough as well.

The plastic baby is optional, but in New Orleans, the host of the party adds the baby to the cake so that as it is served, whoever gets the slice with the baby will be the following year’s host.

Mardi Gras King Cake FAQs

There are so many interesting aspects to this one delicious cake that’s steeped in tradition!

What is the story behind the baby in the Mardi Gras king cake?

The plastic (traditionally, it was porcelain) baby hidden in the king cake represents baby Jesus and was a way for New Orleans residents to celebrate their Christian faith.

Whoever finds the baby becomes ‘king’ or ‘queen’ for the evening. Additionally, it symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it and makes that lucky person the host of next year’s party.

What flavor is Mardi Gras king cake?

Traditionally, the cake is a cinnamon-flavored dough, but over time other flavors have also become popular. You can often find them filled with fruit fillings or cream cheese.

This Mardi Gras King Cake recipe is a traditional cinnamon dough cake, similar to cinnamon rolls.

How did the Mardi Gras king cake originate?

Many people believe that the king cake tradition began in France and was brought to New Orleans in 1870.

The French version was an almond-filled puff pastry with a flaky texture. It also had a decorative pattern and a paper crown was sometimes added to the top.

Why is it called a king cake?

The name “king cake” references the Biblical story of the three kings who bring gifts to Baby Jesus.

What do the Mardi Gras King Cake colors mean?

There is a ton of symbolism within this one single cake! Check it out:

• Round shape – the unity of faiths
• Hidden baby – baby Jesus
• Purple – justice
• Green – faith
• Gold – power

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