Let the good times roll with this easy bread machine king cake recipe with a sweet cinnamon filling and creamy vanilla glaze on top. Who will find the baby and be crowned King of the party??
PREP TIME 5 minutesminutes
RISING TIME 1 hourhour30 minutesminutes
COOK TIME 25 minutesminutes
YIELD 8servings
Ingredients
For the Brioche Dough
1/2cupmilk
2tablespoonsbuttercut into cubes
1/3cupwarm water
1tspvanilla
1egg
3cupsflour
1/4cupsugar
3/4tspsalt
1 1/2teaspoonsinstant yeast
For the Cinnamon Filling
1/3cupbrown sugar
3tablespoonssugar
1/4cupflour
1teaspooncinnamon
2tablespoonsbuttermelted
For the Vanilla Icing
2cupspowdered sugar
2tablespoonsmilkplus more as needed for consistency
1teaspoonvanilla
Traditional Mardi Gras Decorations and Garnishes (Optional)
Measure the milk in a microwave safe measuring cup and add the butter cubes. Warm them together in the microwave for about 90 seconds and then pour them into the bottom of your bread machine pan fitted with the paddle.
Add the warm water, vanilla extract, and egg to the bread machine pan.
Layer the dry ingredients directly on top in the order they are listed: start with the flour, sugar, and add the salt around the perimeter of the pan. Use the back of a spoon to dig a well in the top of the flour and add the yeast to the well.
Place the bread pan in your bread machine and select the DOUGH program. It should take about 1 1/2 hours to complete.
Assemble the King Cake
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Add the brown sugar, regular sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter to a small bowl and whisk them together with a fork until well combined.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured working surface and roll it out to a large rectangle, about 10x16-inches. Slice the rectangle in half lengthwise using a pizza cutter. You should have two narrow rectangles.
Spread the cinnamon filling over each rectangle of dough and then roll it long edge to long edge so that you have to long, rolled logs of dough.
Form a braid by twisting the two logs together and then transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Pull the ends of the braid together to form an oval. Pinch the ends together.
Cover your shaped bread with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 - 45 minutes.
Baking Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the king cake for 25 - 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bread has baked through. You can test for doneness with an instant read thermometer. The center of the braid should read 195°F.
Frost the King Cake and Decorate
If hiding a plastic baby figurine in your king cake, push it into one of the folds of the braid so you can hide it with the icing and no one will spot the hole where you pushed it in.
Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to a medium bowl and whisk them together with a fork until well combined. You may have to adjust the amount of milk if you need a thinner consistency or add a spoonful of powdered sugar if it is too runny. You want it to be spreadable but still thick so it doesn't completely run off the cake but rather drizzles down the sides slowly.
Drizzle the frosting over the top and sprinkle the traditional purple, green, and gold colored sprinkles immediately, the glaze will set quickly.
Recipe Notes
Make Ahead Tips
Assemble the king cake as directed. Cover the baking sheet in plastic wrap and store in the fridge before the final rise.Let it sit on the counter for up to one hour before baking the next day.