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A beautifully decorated New Orleans King Cake with cream cheese filling.

Perfect New Orleans King Cake

This King Cake is a delightful treat with a soft, pillowy texture and rich cream cheese filling, perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Celebration, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 2 packages active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm milk (approximately 110°F)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
Filling Ingredients
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
  • to taste Colored sugar (purple, green, and gold) for decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, combine yeast and warm milk. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir well.
  3. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough is formed.
  4. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Filling and Shaping
  1. In a medium bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
  2. After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
  3. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  4. Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other, pinching the seams to seal. Form the rolled dough into a circle and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Cover the cake and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  3. Once cooled, drizzle your cake with more cream cheese and sprinkle the colored sugars on top.

Notes

For a lighter cake, consider using half cake flour in place of all-purpose flour. Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best rise; check the expiration date! If you're in a hurry, you can let the dough rise in a warm oven (turned off) for a faster process. Avoid common mistakes by kneading the dough until it’s smooth—it’s worth the extra few minutes! To store your leftover King Cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.