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.

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Southern Pound Cake (Classic Pound Cake 101)

Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Unsalted
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If you're looking for a classic and delicious dessert, look no further than this Southern Pound Cake recipe. This moist and buttery cake is a staple in Southern households and is sure to be a hit at any gathering. The best part? It's incredibly easy to make!
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Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread

Main Ingredients: Butter, Yellow Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt
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Southern Smothered Oxtails are a soulful and satisfying dish that is perfect for any special occasion. The oxtails are slow-cooked with onions, garlic, and spices until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. Serve them over a bed of rice for a hearty and comforting meal.
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Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits

Main Ingredients: Flour, Whole Milk, Butter, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt
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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a classic comfort food dish that is sure to please a crowd. This recipe calls for a rich and creamy cheese sauce, mixed with tender macaroni and topped with a crispy breadcrumb topping. It's the ultimate indulgent side dish.
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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!
19 easy king cake recipe southern living Unlock flavor sensations!

Southern Pound Cake (Classic Pound Cake 101)

yield: 4 total time: 95 minutes
4.3 Stars (27 reviews)
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups all purpose flour measured correctly. See note.
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder measured correctly. See note.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter room temperature, 3 sticks
  • 3 cups cane sugar granulated
  • 5 large eggs room temperature
  • 3/4 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract pure
  • 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract pure, optional but yum

Nutrition

  • Calories : 1660 calories
  • Carbohydrate : 225 grams
  • Cholesterol : 450 milligrams
  • Fat : 78 grams
  • Fiber : 3 grams
  • Protein : 20 grams
  • SaturatedFat : 46 grams
  • Sodium : 480 milligrams
  • Sugar : 153 grams
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