Traditional King Cake with Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A festive Mardi Gras king cake featuring a soft, buttery dough swirled with cinnamon and sugar, topped with vibrant purple, green, and gold sugar crystals. This french-inspired mardi gras ready in about 150 minutes layers whole milk, active dry yeast, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 120 min Cook: 30 min Serves 12 French cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Warm 1 cup whole milk to about 110°F and stir in 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tsp granulated sugar; let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract; whisk until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Gradually add 4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt, stirring until a soft dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Step 4: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Step 5: While dough rises, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 tbsp ground cinnamon in a small bowl for the filling.
  6. Step 6: Roll risen dough into a 12x16-inch rectangle on a floured surface; evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the dough.
  7. Step 7: Roll dough tightly lengthwise into a log and pinch edges to seal; form into a ring and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Step 8: Cover and let rise for 30 minutes; preheat oven to 350°F.
  9. Step 9: Bake the ring for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through; cool on a wire rack.
  10. Step 10: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp milk to create a glaze; drizzle over cooled cake.
  11. Step 11: Immediately sprinkle 1 tbsp each of purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in alternating sections over the glaze.
  12. Step 12: Optionally, insert a plastic baby figurine under the cake once cooled for tradition.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional King Cake with Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl take to make?

Total time is about 150 minutes (120 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Traditional King Cake with Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional King Cake with Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Traditional King Cake with Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Traditional King Cake with Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl?

French mardi gras like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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