19 Easy King Cake Recipe Southern Living Unlock Flavor Sensations!
Published on: Mar 31, 2024
King cake is a staple dessert during Mardi Gras season, and while it may seem intimidating to make at home, it's actually quite simple. This easy king cake recipe from Southern Living is the perfect way to bring a taste of New Orleans into your own kitchen. Don't let the intricate design fool you, this recipe is beginner-friendly and yields a deliciously sweet and festive treat.
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Unsalted
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Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread
Main Ingredients: Butter, Yellow Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt
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Southern Collard Greens are a traditional side dish in Southern cooking. These hearty greens are slow-cooked with bacon, onions, and spices until they are tender and full of flavor. Serve them as a side dish or as a main course with a side of cornbread.
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Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits
Main Ingredients: Flour, Whole Milk, Butter, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt
No Southern meal is complete without a batch of Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits. These buttery and flaky biscuits are perfect for breakfast, served with gravy, or as a side dish for any meal. They require only a few simple ingredients and are easy to make.
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This Southern Caramel Cake is a must-try for any caramel lover. The moist and fluffy cake is filled and frosted with a rich and buttery caramel icing. It's a labor of love to make, but the end result is a show-stopping dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Southern Pecan Pie Bars are a delicious and portable version of the classic Southern dessert. These bars have a buttery shortbread crust and a gooey and nutty pecan filling. They are perfect for potlucks, parties, or as a sweet treat to enjoy at home.
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This recipe for Classic Southern Collard Greens is a staple in any Southern kitchen. The greens are slow-cooked with smoked ham hocks, onions, and spices until they are tender and full of flavor. Serve them with a side of cornbread for a true Southern meal.
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The History of King Cake
Origins of the Tradition
The tradition of king cake dates back to medieval times in Europe. It was originally a way to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings to Bethlehem. The cake was circular and had a hidden bean or pea inside, representing the baby Jesus. Whoever found the bean or pea in their slice of cake was deemed the king or queen for the day. This tradition of hiding a small trinket in the cake is still practiced today in New Orleans.
Mardi Gras Season
In New Orleans, king cake is primarily associated with Mardi Gras season, which begins on January 6th, also known as Twelfth Night or the Feast of Epiphany. It is believed that the cake symbolizes the three kings' journey to find the baby Jesus. The cake is typically served at parties and gatherings throughout the season, with the person who finds the trinket in their slice being crowned the king or queen of the party.
Making Your Own Easy King Cake
Ingredients
To make this easy king cake recipe, you will need all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, active dry yeast, milk, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. You will also need food coloring in purple, green, and yellow to achieve the traditional Mardi Gras colors.
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix together 3 1/2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
2. In a separate bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast in 1/4 cup of warm milk.
3. Once the yeast is foamy, add it to the dry ingredients along with 1/2 cup of melted butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
4. Mix everything together until a dough forms.
5. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel.
6. Let the dough rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
7. Once risen, divide the dough into three equal parts and dye each part a different color using the food coloring.
8. Roll each colored dough into a long rope and then braid them together.
9. Shape the braided dough into a circle and place it on a baking sheet.
10. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
11. While the cake is baking, make the traditional glaze by mixing together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and a few drops of purple, green, and yellow food coloring.
12. Once the cake is done, let it cool and then drizzle the glaze over the top.
13. Hide a small trinket, such as a plastic baby, inside the cake before serving.
Enjoy the Festive Tradition
Making your own king cake may seem daunting, but with this easy recipe, you can enjoy this traditional Mardi Gras treat in the comfort of your own home. Whether you're celebrating with friends and family or just indulging in a sweet treat, this king cake is sure to add some festive flair to your Mardi Gras season. So grab your ingredients and get ready to bake your way to becoming the king or queen of your next party!
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