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Cream Cheese King Cake Recipe

Cream Cheese King Cake

A soft, buttery Mardi Gras–style King Cake filled with sweet cream cheese, topped with vanilla glaze and festive purple, green, and gold sugars.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Bread, Dessert
Cuisine: Louisiana, Southern
Calories: 360
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet active dry yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm milk 110°F
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • colored sugar purple, green, and gold

Method
 

  1. Combine warm milk and yeast in a bowl. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, salt, and eggs. Stir in yeast mixture.
  3. Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
  5. Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk until smooth.
  6. Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread cream cheese filling evenly, leaving a border.
  7. Roll dough tightly into a log. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together.
  8. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise 30 minutes.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make glaze. Drizzle over warm cake.
  11. Decorate with colored sugar before serving.

Notes

For a traditional touch, hide a small plastic baby underneath the cake after baking (not inside the oven).