McKenzie’s King Cake recipe is a traditional Mardi Gras dessert that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is named after McKenzie’s Bakery, which has been a popular bakery in New Orleans since the 1930s.
A King Cake is a type of sweet, doughy pastry that is shaped like a large, braided ring or oval. The cake is typically made from a yeast-based dough that is mixed with sugar, butter, and eggs. It is often flavored with cinnamon or nutmeg, and sometimes filled with cream cheese or fruit preserves.
The cake is usually topped with icing or glaze and sprinkled with colorful sugars in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. A small, plastic baby figurine is also usually hidden inside the cake before it is baked.
Traditionally, the person who finds the baby in their slice of cake is said to have good luck and is expected to host the next Mardi Gras party or provide the next King Cake.
How To Make McKenzie’s king cake
Good day, fellow gourmands; I’d like to present a dish I’ve held dear ever since my first visit to New Orleans. It’s the world-famous McKenzie’s King Cake, of course! During carnival time, this pastry, which has become a beloved symbol of Mardi Gras, is eaten in enormous amounts.
Here, I’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this iconic Mardi Gras treat and walk you through the process of baking your very own McKenzie’s King Cake from scratch.
McKenzie’s king cake Ingredients
To make a McKenzie’s King Cake, you will need the following ingredients:
For the dough:
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 envelopes of instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ¾ cup of warm milk
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest
- ½ cup of colored sugars (purple, green, and gold) for decoration
For the filling:
- 1 cup of cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 plastic baby figurine
Instructions To Make McKenzie’s king cake
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
In another bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Allow it to rise for 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
In the meantime, make the filling by combining the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk. Mix well and set aside.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a long, thin rectangle.
Spread the cream cheese filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Place the plastic baby figurine somewhere in the filling, making sure it is hidden.
Roll up the dough tightly from the long side and shape it into a circle, pinching the ends together to seal it.
Transfer the cake to a greased baking sheet and cover it with a towel. Allow it to rise for another hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Brush the top of the cake with a beaten egg and sprinkle the colored sugars on top in alternating sections.
Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes or until it is golden brown.
Allow the cake to cool before serving.
Can I freeze a King Cake?
Yes, you can freeze a King Cake for up to 2-3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing it in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before bringing it to room temperature and serving.
Do I have to use colored sugar for the decoration?
No, you can use any type of decorative sugar or even sprinkles that you like. However, the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold have a special significance and add to the festive look of the cake.
McKenzie’s king cake recipe
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 envelopes of instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ¾ cup of warm milk
- ½ cup of unsalted butter melted
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest
- ½ cup of colored sugars purple, green, and gold for decoration
For the filling:
- 1 cup of cream cheese softened
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 plastic baby figurine
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Allow it to rise for 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- In the meantime, make the filling by combining the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk. Mix well and set aside.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a long, thin rectangle.
- Spread the cream cheese filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Place the plastic baby figurine somewhere in the filling, making sure it is hidden.
- Roll up the dough tightly from the long side and shape it into a circle, pinching the ends together to seal it.
- Transfer the cake to a greased baking sheet and cover it with a towel. Allow it to rise for another hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Brush the top of the cake with a beaten egg and sprinkle the colored sugars on top in alternating sections.
- Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes or until it is golden brown.
- Allow the cake to cool before serving.
Conclusion McKenzie’s king cake
McKenzie’s King Cakes are easy to make with the right materials and a little patience. This sweet Mardi Gras pastry will amaze your family and friends.
Whether you use cream cheese or other fillings, the King Cake is a carnival staple. So try this recipe and let me know how it works out!
