17+ Bailey's Bakery Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe Experience Flavor Like Never Before!

Ingredients You'll Need

Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp lemon extract

Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Purple, green, and yellow food coloring

Before you start, make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature. This will help the dough rise properly and create a soft and fluffy cake.

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, eggs, melted butter, vegetable oil, and extracts. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 3: Make the Filling

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add in the chopped pecans and dried cranberries and mix until well combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Starting from one of the longer sides, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the edges to seal and form a ring. Place the ring on a greased baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 5: Bake and Decorate

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove the plastic wrap from the cake and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let it cool completely before decorating. In a small mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice to make the icing. Divide the icing into three bowls and add a few drops of purple, green, and yellow food coloring to each bowl. Drizzle the colored icing over the cake in alternating sections.

Voila! Your homemade Mardi Gras King Cake is ready to be enjoyed. Serve it at your next Mardi Gras party or bring it to a potluck and impress everyone with your baking skills. Enjoy the rich flavors and festive colors of this traditional New Orleans dessert.