Cream Cheese Stuffed King Cake
I whipped up this cream cheese stuffed king cake on a busy evening when patience was in short supply but craving for Mardi Gras flavors was strong. The result? A moist, fragrant dough with a luscious cream cheese filling, all topped with that perfect lemony glaze and festive colors. If you like the recipe, please share it!
This recipe blends classic New Orleans tradition with a little home-cooked love. It’s hands down the best cream cheese stuffed king cake I’ve ever made — and I promise it’ll bring a slice of Mardi Gras magic right into your kitchen.
What is king cake recipe cream cheese?
Cream Cheese Stuffed King Cake is a traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras dessert. It features a sweet, slightly citrusy cinnamon brioche dough filled with a rich cream cheese mixture, then baked until golden and topped with a lemon-infused icing and the iconic purple, green, and gold sanding sugars. The cake is often shaped into a ring with a small baby figurine hidden inside, symbolizing good luck and the king for a day tradition.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, melted*)
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 600 grams all purpose flour (about 4.5 cups), plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (1.5 sticks, softened) for cinnamon filling
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup white sugar (for cream cheese filling)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten for egg wash)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (for icing)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for decorating
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Stand mixer with dough hook attachment
- Kitchen scale
- Rolling pin
- Piping bag or large plastic zip-top bag
- Large mixing bowls
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Fine mesh strainer or sifter
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Instant-read thermometer (optional for oven temperature)
How to Make king cake recipe cream cheese
Step 1:
Warm milk to 100-110°F and sprinkle active dry yeast over it. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until bubbly.
Step 2:
In the stand mixer bowl, add eggs, melted butter, white sugar, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Mix using the dough hook.
Step 3:
Gradually add flour, salt, ground cinnamon, and lemon zest while mixing on low speed, then increase speed until dough forms a smooth, slightly tacky ball. Add flour tablespoon by tablespoon if dough is too sticky.
Step 4:
Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes until elastic.
Step 5:
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Step 6:
Meanwhile, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the cinnamon filling.
Step 7:
For the cream cheese filling, beat softened cream cheese with sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag.
Step 8:
After dough has risen, turn it onto a floured surface and divide in half. Roll each piece into a 10 x 18 inch rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
Step 9:
Spread half the softened butter over each rectangle, then sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly.
Step 10:
Pipe half the cream cheese filling along one long edge of each dough rectangle.
Step 11:
Roll the dough tightly from the long edge to form two logs. Seal seams by wetting and pinching firmly.
Step 12:
Gently stretch each log to about 24 inches in length to make twisting easier.
Step 13:
Place logs side by side on a lined baking sheet and twist them together into an oval shape. Pinch the ends to seal and tuck the seam underneath.
Step 14:
Roll a ball of foil into an oval, spray with cooking spray, and place in the center of the oval to maintain the ring shape.
Step 15:
Cover with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until nearly doubled.
Step 16:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step 17:
Brush the king cake with the egg wash (mix one egg with one tablespoon water).
Step 18:
Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 19:
Let the cake cool slightly.
Step 20:
For icing, whisk milk, lemon juice, and vanilla, then sift in powdered sugar until you reach a pourable consistency.
Step 21:
Pour icing over the slightly cooled king cake and immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars.
Some Tips!
- Always use room temperature eggs and softened cream cheese for best filling texture.
- Use a kitchen scale to measure flour accurately; it makes a big difference.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a large zip-top plastic bag with the corner snipped works great.
- To keep the ring shape, the foil ball in the center is a game changer.
- Don’t ice the cake until it’s cooled slightly to prevent the icing from melting and running.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover king cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can refrigerate it if you prefer, but it’s best enjoyed fresh. For longer storage, freeze slices wrapped in wax paper for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the fridge. If freezing beforehand, wait to ice until after thawing.
What to Eat With
This Cream Cheese Stuffed King Cake pairs beautifully with classic New Orleans dishes like Shrimp Remoulade and Chicken and Sausage Gumbo for a full Mardi Gras feast. For sides, consider Creamy Cajun Potato Salad for a cool contrast. After your festive meal, something sweet like the Easy Microwave Roux recipe might just hit the spot!
FAQ
Do I have to have a stand mixer for this recipe?
You can use a hand mixer to mix wet ingredients before adding flour. Kneading by hand is totally doable but takes more elbow grease.
Why is there a baby in the king cake?
The plastic baby symbolizes baby Jesus and is a Mardi Gras tradition. The person who finds it is “king for a day” and is said to get good luck.
Is the baby baked into the king cake?
It’s best to insert the baby after baking and before icing to avoid melting or damage.
What flavor is a traditional king cake?
It’s a sweet brioche dough with cinnamon, often filled with cream cheese or praline, and topped with colorful sugar or icing.
Conclusion
This Cream Cheese Stuffed King Cake brings the festive flavors of Mardi Gras straight to your home kitchen. With its moist cinnamon dough, creamy filling, and bright icing, it’s a real crowd-pleaser for any celebration. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a perfect taste of New Orleans tradition with your loved ones.