Easy Bread Machine King Cake: A Festive Mardi Gras Treat

Mardi Gras season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a King Cake? This festive cake, traditionally enjoyed from Epiphany (January 6th) through Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), is a delicious brioche-like bread adorned with vibrant icing and sprinkles. While many recipes require hours of kneading and rising, this version simplifies the process by using your bread machine! This recipe yields a delicious and beautiful King Cake with minimal effort, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

What is King Cake?

King Cake is a sweet bread traditionally associated with the Carnival season. The name commemorates the three kings who visited the infant Jesus. Hidden inside each cake is a small plastic baby, representing baby Jesus. The person who finds the baby in their slice is traditionally obligated to host the next King Cake party or bring the next King Cake.

Why Use a Bread Machine?

Using a bread machine takes the guesswork out of kneading and the first rise. It provides a consistent, warm environment for the dough to develop, resulting in a soft and flavorful cake. Plus, it frees you up to focus on other party preparations or simply relax!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses common pantry staples and is easily adaptable to your preferences. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

For the Filling (Optional, but Recommended!):

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4-6 tablespoons milk or cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (purple, green, and gold)
• Mardi Gras colored sprinkles

Equipment:

• Bread machine
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Piping bags or Ziploc bags
• Small plastic baby (ensure it’s oven-safe if baking it inside the cake; otherwise, insert after baking)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions for a perfect bread machine King Cake every time:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Add Wet Ingredients to the Bread Machine: Pour the warm milk, beaten eggs, and melted butter into the bread machine pan. Make sure the milk isn’t too hot, as it can kill the yeast.
2. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the granulated sugar, salt, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest (if using) on top of the wet ingredients. Create a small well in the center of the flour and add the active dry yeast. This prevents the yeast from activating prematurely.
3. Select Dough Cycle: Place the bread machine pan into the machine and select the dough cycle. This cycle will mix and knead the dough, then allow it to rise.
4. Monitor the Dough: Keep an eye on the dough as it kneads. If it seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it forms a smooth, slightly sticky ball. If it seems too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time. The consistency of the dough is crucial for a good King Cake.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling (While the Dough is Rising)

1. Combine Filling Ingredients: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined. Stir in the chopped pecans or walnuts, if using.
2. Set Aside: Set the filling aside until the dough is ready.

Step 3: Shape and Fill the King Cake

1. Remove Dough from Bread Machine: Once the dough cycle is complete (usually around 1.5 to 2 hours), gently remove the dough from the bread machine pan and place it on a lightly floured surface.
2. Punch Down the Dough: Punch down the dough to release any excess air.
3. Roll Out the Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12×18 inches.
4. Spread the Filling: Spread the prepared filling evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a 1-inch border along one of the long edges.
5. Roll Up the Dough: Starting from the opposite long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log, jelly-roll style.
6. Form into a Ring: Carefully transfer the log to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently bring the two ends together to form a ring. Moisten the ends with a little water and pinch them together to seal.
7. Second Rise: Cover the ring with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, or until it has slightly increased in size. This second rise is important for a light and airy cake.

Step 4: Bake the King Cake

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake: Bake the King Cake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
3. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the Icing

1. Combine Icing Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk or cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread easily.
2. Divide and Color the Icing: Divide the icing into three separate bowls. Tint one bowl purple, one green, and one gold using gel food coloring. Start with a small amount of food coloring and add more until you achieve the desired shade.

Step 6: Decorate the King Cake

1. Ice the Cake: Once the King Cake is completely cool, spread the purple, green, and gold icing randomly over the cake. You can drizzle the icing using a spoon or pipe it on using piping bags or Ziploc bags with the corner snipped off.
2. Add Sprinkles: Immediately sprinkle the cake with Mardi Gras colored sprinkles while the icing is still wet. This will ensure that the sprinkles adhere to the icing.
3. Insert the Baby: If you didn’t bake the baby inside the cake (and it’s generally recommended not to for safety reasons), carefully insert the plastic baby into the bottom of the cake after it has cooled and been decorated. Hide it well!

Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Yeast: Ensure your active dry yeast is fresh for optimal rising. You can test it by dissolving a teaspoon of yeast in a quarter cup of warm water with a teaspoon of sugar. If it foams up within 5-10 minutes, it’s good to use.
• Don’t Overheat the Milk: Make sure the milk is warm, not hot. Hot milk will kill the yeast.
• Adjust Dough Consistency: The dough consistency is crucial. Adjust the amount of flour or milk as needed to achieve a smooth, slightly sticky ball.
• Don’t Skip the Second Rise: The second rise is important for a light and airy cake. Be patient and allow the dough to rise properly.
• Cool Completely Before Icing: Ensure the cake is completely cool before icing. Otherwise, the icing will melt.
• Get Creative with Decorations: Have fun with the decorations! Use different colors of icing, various types of sprinkles, or even add edible glitter.
• Oven Safe Baby: If you decide to bake the baby inside the cake, make absolutely sure that it is oven safe. Alternatively, you can purchase a ceramic bean or use a pecan half, either one can be baked inside safely.

Variations

This recipe is a great starting point for creating your own unique King Cake. Here are a few variations to try:

• Cream Cheese Filling: Add a layer of cream cheese filling to the dough before rolling it up. Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for a delicious creamy filling.
• Fruit Filling: Add a layer of fruit filling, such as apple pie filling or cherry pie filling, to the dough before rolling it up.
• Chocolate King Cake: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist. You can also add chocolate chips to the filling.
• Savory King Cake: For a savory option, omit the sugar and cinnamon from the dough and filling. Fill the cake with cheese, ham, and jalapenos.
• Cinnamon Rolls King Cake: Instead of shaping it like a traditional cake, slice the rolled-up dough into cinnamon rolls before the second rise. Place them in a greased baking dish, touching each other, for a pull-apart treat.

Serving and Storing

Serve your King Cake at room temperature. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the cake for longer storage. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Finding the Baby

The tradition of hiding a baby figurine (or bean) inside the King Cake is central to Mardi Gras celebrations. The person who finds the baby is said to have good luck for the coming year and is also traditionally responsible for bringing the next King Cake or hosting the next Mardi Gras party. It adds an element of fun and anticipation to the celebration. Ensure that everyone is aware that the baby is present before eating to avoid any mishaps.

Making it Kid-Friendly

Involving kids in the King Cake-making process is a fantastic way to get them excited about Mardi Gras and baking. Here are some tips for making it kid-friendly:

• Let them help measure ingredients: Measuring and pouring ingredients is a great way for kids to learn about cooking and practice their math skills.
• Allow them to knead the dough (with supervision): Kneading dough can be a fun sensory experience for kids. Just make sure to supervise them to prevent a floury mess.
• Let them decorate the cake: Decorating is the best part! Let kids get creative with the icing and sprinkles.
• Explain the tradition: Teach them about the history and meaning of King Cake and the tradition of finding the baby.

Troubleshooting

Even with a bread machine, baking can sometimes present challenges. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Dough isn’t rising: Ensure your yeast is fresh and that the milk isn’t too hot. Also, make sure you’re using the correct amount of yeast.
• Cake is too dense: This could be due to not enough rising time or too much flour. Make sure to allow the dough to rise properly and adjust the flour amount as needed.
• Icing is too thin: Add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
• Icing is too thick: Add more milk or cream, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
• Cake is browning too quickly: Tent the cake with aluminum foil to prevent it from browning too much.

Conclusion

This bread machine King Cake recipe is a simple and delicious way to celebrate Mardi Gras. With minimal effort, you can create a festive and flavorful cake that everyone will enjoy. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your bread machine, and get ready to let the good times roll! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

• Calories: 350-450 per serving
• Fat: 15-20g
• Saturated Fat: 8-10g
• Cholesterol: 50-70mg
• Sodium: 200-300mg
• Carbohydrates: 45-55g
• Sugar: 20-30g
• Protein: 5-7g

Enjoy responsibly!