Traditional New Orleans King Cake Recipe

Traditional New Orleans King Cake RecipePhoto by: Taste of Home Traditional New Orleans King Cake Recipe Rating 5

Get in on the fun of the King Cake. Hide a little toy baby in the cake and whoever finds it has one year of good luck! Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah

4
  • Rate
  • Print
  • Grocery List
  • Recipe Box
  • Email
[X]

Rate Traditional New Orleans King Cake Recipe

Click on stars to rate
 

Would you make this recipe again?
[X]
Traditional New Orleans King Cake Recipe
  • Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 25 min. + cooling
  • Yield: 12 Servings
40 25 65

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • GLAZE:
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons water
  • Green, purple and yellow sugars

Directions

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1/2 cup sugar, butter, milk, egg yolks, salt, lemon peel, nutmeg and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
  • Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends together to form a ring. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Brush with egg.
  • Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cake. Sprinkle with colored sugars. Yield: 1 cake (12 slices).

Nutritional Facts 1 slice equals 321 calories, 9 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 73 mg cholesterol, 313 mg sodium, 55 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein.

Originally published as Traditional New Orleans King Cake in Taste of Home February/March 2010, p76

Taste of Home

Featured Videos

  • Healthy Cooking Tips

    Whether you're a diabetic, cutting calories, or watching your carbs cooking healthy meals can be a challenge. Here are some great and easy tips to remember for cooking healthy and delicious meals.

Mrs. Holiday

Enter your holiday recipe and audition video now and you could win $50,000 and become a Taste of Home ambassador!

Learn More >

Follow Us on Pinterest!

Did you know that Taste of Home is on Pinterest? Be sure to check out our boards for even more delicious inspiration.

Follow Us >

More Ways to get Taste of Home Recipes

Reviews for Traditional New Orleans King Cake (4)

Traditional New Orleans King Cake Recipe

Traditional New Orleans King Cake

Tell us what you think of this recipe.
Did you modify it? Would you make it again? Rate it today! >


Reviewed on Mar. 08, 2011 by pat o

THANK YOU for answering my question ellenhguidry.


Reviewed on Mar. 08, 2011 by ellenhguidry

The baby is hidden inside cake(push into cake from underside, so it won't show). Tradition says whoever finds baby provides next King cake!


Reviewed on Mar. 08, 2011 by pat o

Where do you put the baby?


Reviewed on Feb. 16, 2010 by TriciaBaker

I have made this 4 times. It is excellent. I do think that next time I will add more cinnamon for a stronger flavor. If using freshly grated nutmeg, double the amount called for to 1/2 tsp.

 
 
Healthy Cooking - Try it Risk Free
Simple & Delicious - Free Issue Offer

Father's Day Recipes

Fathers Day Recipes
Advertise with us
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow Us

Advertise with us ADVERTISEMENT
Advertise with us ADVERTISEMENT