Delicious Cream Cheese King Cake Recipe | Hey Y’all | Southern Living

King cake is a traditional dessert that’s beloved in the South, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate Mardi Gras. This Cream Cheese King Cake recipe takes a classic cake and adds a rich cream cheese filling that’s decadent and delicious.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

– 1 ½ cups warm milk
– 2 packages active dry yeast
– ½ cup granulated sugar
– 2 teaspoons salt
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
– 2 eggs, lightly beaten
– 5 ½ to 6 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

For the cream cheese filling:

– 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
– 2/3 cup granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 egg yolk

For the icing:

– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 3-4 tablespoons milk
– Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar

Instructions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Add salt, melted butter, and eggs to the bowl and mix on low speed until combined.

3. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth and elastic.

4. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

5. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until smooth.

6. Punch down the risen dough and turn it onto a floured surface.

7. Roll the dough out into a rectangle shape about 20 inches long and 12 inches wide.

8. Spread the cream cheese filling over the dough, leaving a ½ inch border around the edges.

9. Roll the dough up tightly into a log, starting at one long end.

10. Form the dough into a circle shape and pinch the ends together to seal.

11. Brush the surface of the dough with egg wash and let rise for 30 minutes.

12. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

13. Bake the king cake on a greased baking sheet for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked through.

14. In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth.

15. Drizzle the icing over the cooled king cake and sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.

16. Slice and serve!

Bullet points:

– King cake is a traditional Southern dessert that’s perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras.
– Cream Cheese King Cake is a delicious variation that adds a rich and tangy cream cheese filling.
– The cake is made from a sweet, enriched dough that’s flavored with sugar and butter.
– The cream cheese filling is a blend of cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract.
– The cake is baked, then topped with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk, and decorated with colorful sanding sugar.
– Slice and serve the cake for a festive and delicious dessert that’s perfect for any celebration.