King Cake Recipe Bread Machine Made Easy and Delicious

King Cake is a festive and colorful treat traditionally enjoyed during Mardi Gras and the Carnival season. Its rich, sweet dough wrapped around a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with vibrant icing and sprinkles makes it a centerpiece for any celebration.

But what if you could simplify this delicious tradition with the help of your trusty bread machine? Using a bread machine to prepare King Cake dough not only saves time and effort but also guarantees a perfectly soft and fluffy texture every time.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this King Cake bread machine recipe will guide you through creating an authentic taste with minimal fuss.

In this blog post, you’ll find everything you need to know about making King Cake in your bread machine—from ingredients to pro tips and serving ideas. Plus, I’ll include some tasty variations to customize your cake to your liking.

Ready to bring a slice of New Orleans magic into your kitchen? Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This King Cake recipe is designed with convenience and flavor in mind. Using a bread machine simplifies the dough-making process, handling the mixing, kneading, and first rise automatically.

No need to get your hands sticky or worry about dough consistency. The result is a perfectly tender and airy bread that holds the sweet cinnamon filling beautifully.

You’ll also appreciate the vibrant traditional Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold—decorating the icing, adding a festive flair to your table. Plus, the recipe offers flexibility for customization and is approachable for bakers of all skill levels.

If you love celebratory desserts with a story and a stunning presentation, this King Cake recipe will quickly become a favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk (warm, about 110°F)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• For the glaze:
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Colored sugar sprinkles: purple, green, and gold (traditional Mardi Gras colors)
• Plastic baby figurine (optional, for tradition)

Equipment

• Bread machine
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Pastry brush
• Small bowl for glaze
• Wire rack for cooling

Instructions

1. Add wet ingredients to the bread machine pan: Pour the warm milk, eggs, and softened butter into the bread machine pan.
2. Add dry ingredients: Sprinkle the sugar and salt over the liquid. Add the flour evenly over the top, making sure it covers the liquid completely. Finally, make a small well in the flour and add the yeast (avoid direct contact with salt).
3. Select the dough cycle: Set your bread machine to the “dough” setting and start. This cycle will mix, knead, and allow the dough to rise once. This usually takes about 90 minutes.
4. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans (if using). Set aside.
5. Shape the dough: When the dough cycle finishes, remove the dough onto a floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
6. Spread the filling: Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
7. Roll the dough: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seams and ends to seal.
8. Form the ring: Shape the log into a large ring and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pinch the ends together to seal.
9. Second rise: Cover the dough ring loosely with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes until slightly puffed.
10. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the King Cake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
11. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
13. Glaze and decorate: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake using a spoon or pastry brush. Immediately sprinkle the purple, green, and gold sugars on top while the glaze is still wet.
14. Optional: Insert a small plastic baby figurine under the cake or inside the ring for tradition. Whoever finds the baby is said to have good luck!

Tips & Variations

“For the best rise, make sure your milk is warm but not hot, ideally around 110°F. Too hot can kill the yeast!”

If you want to add a twist to the traditional King Cake, try these variations:

• Fruit Filling: Replace the cinnamon-sugar filling with cream cheese and fruit preserves like raspberry or apricot for a fruity surprise.
• Vegan Version: Substitute milk with almond or oat milk, use vegan butter, and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) instead of eggs. Check your bread machine manual for vegan dough settings.
• Nut-Free: Skip the pecans or replace with sunflower seeds if you have allergies.
• Glaze Alternatives: Use a cream cheese glaze for a tangier finish or drizzle melted chocolate instead of the traditional icing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

King Cake is best enjoyed fresh and slightly warm. Serve slices alongside a hot cup of coffee or spiced tea for a cozy treat.

For parties, you can slice the cake into small wedges and serve with festive cocktail drinks or sparkling cider.

If you want to elevate your presentation, place the cake on a decorative platter and add fresh flowers or Mardi Gras beads around the serving area. This makes a cheerful centerpiece for holiday gatherings or brunches.

For more dessert inspiration, check out our Clementine Bakery Vegan Recipes for Delicious Treats or try the Berry Cobbler Recipe Vegan: Easy, Delicious, and Healthy for a fruity twist.

Conclusion

Making King Cake in a bread machine is a wonderful way to combine tradition with convenience. This recipe takes the guesswork out of bread-making while delivering a soft, flavorful cake that’s perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations or any festive occasion.

The sweet cinnamon filling, vibrant icing, and colorful sprinkles create not only a delicious treat but also a beautiful centerpiece to share with family and friends.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with fillings and glazes to make this King Cake your own. And if you enjoyed this recipe, you might also love exploring other easy and tasty recipes like Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious or the comforting Apple Barn Pigeon Forge TN Vegetable Soup Recipe Guide.

Happy baking and Laissez les bons temps rouler!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “King Cake Recipe Bread Machine”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A classic New Orleans king cake made easy with a bread machine. Soft, sweet, and perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “1 king cake (12 servings)”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1/2 cup warm milk (110\u00b0F)”, “1/2 cup granulated sugar”, “2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast”, “1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened”, “3 large eggs”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “1 teaspoon ground cinnamon”, “4 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/2 cup colored sugar (purple, green, and gold)”, “1/4 cup powdered sugar”, “2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add warm milk, sugar, yeast, butter, eggs, and vanilla to bread machine pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add flour, cinnamon, and salt on top of wet ingredients.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Set bread machine to dough cycle and start.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “When dough cycle finishes, remove dough and roll into an oval.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Form dough into a ring and place on a greased baking sheet.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let dough rise for 30 minutes until puffy.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake at 350\u00b0F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix powdered sugar and milk to make glaze.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drizzle glaze over cooled cake and sprinkle colored sugar on top.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280”, “proteinContent”: “5g”, “fatContent”: “8g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “44g”}}