Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (2024)

When everyone else is singing that it’s the most wonderful time of the year at Christmas, I’m counting down the days until 12th Night when my most wonderful time of the year begins. Mardi Gras is my Christmas. I love everything about Carnival time, but I especially look forward to that first slice of king cake on King’s Day (I’m one of those people who believes that very bad things, including, but not limited to rain on Mardi Gras, will happen if one consumes king cake before 12th night). As a Mardi Gras fanatic, I’ve eaten a lot king cake in my day (and my heart will always belong to McKenzie’s).In many years of king cake consumption, however, I’d never tried to make one until recently.

I went on the hunt for a king cake recipe that was more lemon-y than cinnamon-y, and with a not-too-sweet brioche dough. I’ve played around with this recipe for years now, and it’s finally where I think it’s just perfect for me, and friends and family agree it’s pretty good too. It’s a little more work than driving to the bakery but the result is worth it!

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s}

Recipe Type: Dessert

Author: Aimee Chopin

Prep time:

Cook time:

Total time:

Serves: 15 pieces

This traditional king cake recipe produces a light, airy brioche-style king cake.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lukewarm milk, about 110°F
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dry yeast
  • 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup melted butter
  • 5 egg yolks, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3-5 teaspoons grated fresh lemon zest or 3 teaspoons of lemon extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Powdered sugar
  • Water

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk on the stove top. You can also do it in the microwave but you get a much more consistent temperature from the stove. Also you can use the same pot to melt your butter and it’s one less dish to wash!
  2. Combine the warm milk, the granulated sugar, the yeast and a tablespoon of the flour in the mixer bowl and whisk until dissolved. You can use either a whisk attachment or a hand whisk; at this stage I usually do the latter to avoid having to wash the attachment for when I need it for the glaze.
  3. When your mixture looks thick and foamy, add in the butter, eggs, vanilla and lemon zest or lemon extract.
  4. If you’re using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook attachment and add in your flour and cinnamon. If you’ll be kneading by hand, use a large spatula to fold in the dry ingredients, mixing until it pulls away from the side of the bowl. If you’re kneading by hand, you’ll want to pull the dough out and knead on a floured surface for about 15 minutes. If you’re using a stand mixer you’ll have less knead time but, the time isn’t as important as the condition of the dough. You want to knead until your dough is very elastic and “windowpanes”. To test this, take a small ball of dough, and stretch gently. If you can stretch it to the point that you can see through it without the dough tearing, you’ve kneaded it enough. If not, knead some more until it does get that stretchiness. It’s time consuming but makes a huge difference in the texture of your finished product.
  5. Once you’ve kneaded to the proper elasticity, it’s time to let the dough rise. Put it back in your bowl and cover with plastic wrap for about 90 minutes or until it’s roughly doubled in volume.
  6. After the first rise is complete, you’ve got some decisions to make. You can either:
  7. divide into 3 equal portions and roll it into long strips. Braid the strips, shape into a circle and connect the ends. Place it on a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and let it rise one more time, about 30 minutes.
  8. Roll the dough out into a large, flat rectangle, roll the rectangle up (like a cinnamon roll), shape into a circle and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment, and let it rise for about 30 minutes.
  9. Place the risen king cake into an oven that’s been preheated to about 375 degrees and bake for about 30 minutes. Oven calibration varies and I like my cake a little on the softer side so I start checking around the 22 minute point when braided and 25 minute point when rolled out.
  10. Once the cake is done, put it on a cooling rack and wait until it’s fully cooled to glaze.
  11. To make the glaze, combine powdered sugar and water to make a glaze. You can make it as thick or as thin as you want, but I like to go for a middle of the road consistency – thick enough for the granulated sugar to stick, but thin enough to not make my teeth hurt.
  12. When the glaze is wet, sprinkle with purple, green and gold sugar on top and there you have it, your very own homemade king cake!
Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (1)

King Cake Recipe

King cake:

• 1 cup lukewarm milk, about 110°F

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons dry yeast

• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup melted butter

• 5 egg yolks, beaten

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 3-5 teaspoons grated fresh lemon zest or 3 teaspoons of lemon extract

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze:

• Powdered sugar

• Water

1. Warm the milk on the stovetop. You can also do it in the microwave but you get a much more consistent temperature from the stove. Also you can use the same pot to melt your butter and it’s one less dish to wash!

2. Combine the warm milk, the granulated sugar, the yeast and a tablespoon of the flour in the mixer bowl and whisk until dissolved. You can use either a whisk attachment or a hand whisk; at this stage I usually do the latter to avoid having to wash the attachment for when I need it for the glaze.

3. When your mixture looks thick and foamy, add in the butter, eggs, vanilla and lemon zest or lemon extract.

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (2)

4. If you’re using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook attachment and add in your flour and cinnamon. If you’ll be kneading by hand, use a large spatula to fold in the dry ingredients, mixing until it pulls away from the side of the bowl. If you’re kneading by hand, you’ll want to pull the dough out and knead on a floured surface for about 15 minutes. If you’re using a stand mixer you’ll have less knead time but, the time isn’t as important as the condition of the dough. You want to knead until your dough is very elastic and “windowpanes”. To test this, take a small ball of dough, and stretch gently. If you can stretch it to the point that you can see through it without the dough tearing, you’ve kneaded it enough. If not, knead some more until it does get that stretchiness. It’s time consuming but makes

a huge difference in the texture of your finished product.

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (3)

(See this? It’s not windowpaning enough. But it’s a start!)

6. Once you’ve kneaded to the proper elasticity, it’s time to let the dough rise. Put it back in your bowl and cover with plastic wrap for about 90 minutes or until it’s roughly doubled in volume.

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (4)

7. After the first rise is complete, you’ve got some decisions to make. You can either:

  • divide into 3 equal portions and roll it into long strips. Braid the strips, shape into a circle and connect the ends. Place it on a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and let it rise one more time, about 30 minutes.
Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (5)

Braided dough AFTER rising

  • Roll the dough out into a large, flat rectangle, roll the rectangle up (like a cinnamon roll), shape into a circle and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment, and let it rise for about 30 minutes.
    Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (6)

Rolled dough BEFORE rising

8. Place the risen king cake into an oven that’s been preheated to about 375 degrees and bake for about 30 minutes. Oven calibration varies and I like my cake a little on the softer side so I start checking around the 22 minute point when braided and 25 minute point when rolled out.

9. Once the cake is done, put it on a cooling rack and wait until it’s fully cooled to glaze.

10. To make the glaze, combine powdered sugar and water to make a glaze. You can make it as thick or as thin as you want, but I like to go for a middle of the road consistency – thick enough for the granulated sugar to stick, but thin enough to not make my teeth hurt.

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (7)

When the glaze is wet, sprinkle with purple, green and gold sugar on top and there you have it, your very own homemade king cake!

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (8)

Happy Mardi Gras!

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (9)

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Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (10)

Aimee

Hi, I'm Aimée, the Special Projects Coordinator for Northshore Parent. If there's a fun giveaway, a kids' clothing review, or a special event, there's a good chance that I'm responsible. I'm a lifelong resident of St. Tammany (except for time at LSU for undergrad and law school) and a mom to 3 little ones, ages 6, 6 (yes, they are twins, and no, they are not identical) and 2. Thanks for reading Northshore Parent and being a part of our community.

Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (11)

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Traditional King Cake Recipe {Like McKenzie’s} (2024)

FAQs

How was the original king cake made? ›

It is believed that the king cake tradition originated in France and was brought to New Orleans in 1870. The French version of this local delicacy is made of an almond-filled puff pastry that gives off a flaky texture. It also features a decorative pattern and is sometimes topped with a paper crown.

What is the traditional flavor of the king cake? ›

King cakes come in various flavors, but traditionally, the king cake is a cinnamon-flavored dough covered in sweet green, gold, and purple sugar or icing. Over time, other flavors became just as popular. Two of the most popular flavors are the cream-cheese and our Praline king cake.

What is the most famous king cake? ›

A classic king cake if there ever was one, Randazzo is a favorite among purists, and for good reason—the family has been making this beloved recipe since 1965. Their hand-braided, cinnamon-infused cake is covered in "Randazzo" icing and topped with the traditional tri-colored sprinkles.

What is a millionaire king cake? ›

The Millionaire king cake at the Palace Casino bakery has to be one of the most decadent ever, swirled chocolate and caramel, smothered in pecans and filled with a choice of cream cheese or Bavarian cream.

What is the secret ingredient of a king cake and what does it represent? ›

Hidden in the cake's interior, or under a slice, is a small plastic baby. The plastic baby symbolizes the infant Jesus because of the religious connection to King's Day.

What is the pagan origin of the king cake? ›

In pagan times, the return of the sun during the winter solstice was celebrated with festivities during which any man could become the “sacred king” of a tribe for the year if he found the bean in his slice of cake during the celebration.

What is a VooDoo king cake? ›

Our VooDoo King Cake is a Bavarian-cream-filled brioche topped with chocolate ganache, pecans and shredded coconut. It's one of our signature cakes and a highlight of Mardi Gras season.

What is the best flavor of king cake? ›

Manny Randazzo since 1965 King Cakes
  1. 1) Cream Cheese. Cream cheese has been a popular king cake filling since most people can remember, and it still holds up as one of the top choices enjoyed by Mardi Gras revelers today. ...
  2. 2) Pecan Praline. ...
  3. 3) Cinnamon. ...
  4. 4) Fruit.

What kind of dough is king cake made of? ›

Contrary to its name, king cake is actually more similar to a sweet bread than traditional layer or sheet cakes; in fact, most king cakes are actually made with yeasted dough! My recipe for king cake dough is also enriched with eggs and sugar, resulting in a light and cakey brioche.

What is a queen king cake? ›

Started roughly 300 years ago as a dry French bread–type dough with sugar on top and a bean hidden inside to symbolize baby Jesus, the King Cake is now the most iconic symbol of Mardi Gras! Hundreds of thousands of king cakes are eaten in New Orleans and around the world during the Carnival season and beyond.

What is the most popular King cake filling? ›

The cinnamon sugar-filled version is traditional, but the cream cheese-filled option is our personal favorite. Luckily, the recipe is big enough that it actually makes TWO King Cakes, so you can have one of each!

What makes a king cake so good? ›

Typically, king cake is made of a rich, brioche dough and a wide array of fillings, such as cinnamon, chocolate, and cream cheese. But the rainbow magic is found in the glaze and sprinkles, which are usually gold, green, and purple.

What is the king cake rule? ›

Hidden in its interior, or under a slice, is a small plastic baby. Whoever finds it must either bring the next cake or throw a party, thus sparking an unending round of food and fun. Whether at the workplace, school or home - king cake is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the Mardi Gras season.

What does the coin mean in a king cake? ›

The person who receives the slice of cake containing the coin is believed to enjoy good luck and prosperity throughout the year. This symbol of wealth is rooted in the tradition's early years when cakes were baked to celebrate Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus.

What is New Orleans king cake? ›

Some versions are split and then filled with cream or fruit; others are topped with candied fruit, icing, and colored sugar. Louisiana-style king cake is almost always decorated in the colors associated with Mardi Gras: green, gold, and purple (representing faith, power, and justice).

What three things were originally used in a king cake before a plastic baby was used? ›

History of King Cakes

In the past, such things as coins, beans, pecans, or peas were also hidden in each king cake as a little prize to find for one lucky eater. Today, a tiny plastic baby is the most commonly-used find, though edible chocolate babies or other edibles are sometimes used instead.

What happens if you find the baby in the king cake? ›

Remember, finding the baby inside the king cake not only makes you a “king,” but it also comes with some responsibilities. If you are so fortunate to find the baby in your slice of cake, you will be responsible for hosting the next Mardi Gras celebration and providing the next king cake!

What does it mean when you get the baby in the Rosca? ›

The bejeweled-looking bread is meant to symbolize the gifts given to baby Jesus, and inside the bread is a little plastic baby, symbolizing the newborn messiah. If you get the baby in your slice, you have to cook tamales for everyone on Feb. 2, or Candelaria Day.

What was the king cake in the Middle Ages? ›

The medieval version of the King Cake was a heavy egg-based, brioche-like pastry that is studded with purple, green and gold candied fruits, the colors representing the magi's gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh gifts.

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