King Cake is a beloved tradition during Mardi Gras season, known for its vibrant colors, rich flavors, and festive spirit. But what if you want to enjoy this classic treat without any animal products?
Our Vegan King Cake recipe offers a delightful plant-based twist on this New Orleans favorite. It’s soft, fluffy, and full of warm spices, with a sweet cinnamon filling and a colorful vegan glaze that will bring the party to your table.
Whether you’re vegan, have dietary restrictions, or just want to try something new, this recipe will make you fall in love with King Cake all over again.
This cake is perfect for celebrations or cozy weekend baking. Plus, it’s fun to make and even more fun to share!
If you’re interested in exploring more vegan treats, check out our Vegan Beignet Recipe: Easy, Fluffy, and Delicious Treat for another classic New Orleans dessert made vegan-friendly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegan King Cake combines all the festive elements we crave: a soft, yeasty dough, a sweet cinnamon filling, and a vibrant glaze that’s traditionally purple, green, and gold. But the best part?
It’s entirely plant-based, using wholesome ingredients like almond milk and vegan butter.
The dough is enriched with a bit of oil and a touch of sugar, giving it that perfect tender crumb without any eggs or dairy. The filling is a cozy mix of cinnamon and brown sugar, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
It’s also customizable—you can add chopped nuts, raisins, or vegan cream cheese frosting if you want to get fancy. Plus, it’s a great way to impress friends and family with a classic recipe made vegan!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Active dry yeast | 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) |
| Warm almond milk | 1 cup (110°F/43°C) |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup, divided |
| Vegetable oil | 1/4 cup |
| Vegan butter, melted | 1/4 cup |
| All-purpose flour | 4 cups, plus more for dusting |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Cinnamon | 2 teaspoons (for filling) |
| Brown sugar | 1/3 cup (for filling) |
| Powdered sugar | 1 1/2 cups (for glaze) |
| Lemon juice | 2 tablespoons (for glaze) |
| Water | 2-3 tablespoons (for glaze) |
| Food coloring | Purple, green, and yellow (natural or vegan-friendly) |
| Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts | 1/2 cup |
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (optional but helpful)
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet or round cake pan
- Parchment paper
- Small bowls for glaze and colors
- Pastry brush
- Kitchen towel or plastic wrap
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm almond milk and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This means the yeast is active and ready.
- Mix the dough: Add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, vegetable oil, melted vegan butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Add flour gradually: Add 3 1/2 cups of the flour, mixing well. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead on medium speed. If mixing by hand, use a wooden spoon until dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed, until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. If using nuts, chop and set them aside.
- Roll out the dough: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
- Add the filling: Brush the melted vegan butter over the dough rectangle. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top. If desired, scatter chopped nuts over the filling.
- Shape the cake: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the edges to seal. Form the roll into a ring shape and press the ends together to seal.
- Second rise: Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and let rise for another 45 minutes to an hour until puffy.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the King Cake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. If it browns too quickly, tent with foil.
- Prepare the glaze: While the cake cools, whisk the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and water together until smooth. Divide into three small bowls and tint each with purple, green, and yellow food coloring.
- Decorate: Once the cake is cooled, drizzle or brush the colorful glaze over the top in stripes, alternating colors. Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes before slicing.
- Optional: Hide a small plastic baby or trinket inside the cake before baking for a fun Mardi Gras tradition (remember to warn guests!).
Tips & Variations
For an extra fluffy dough, use a stand mixer to knead, and don’t rush the rising times.
If you want a creamier filling, try a vegan cream cheese mixed with cinnamon and sugar spread inside before rolling.
Feel free to experiment with different nuts like pecans or walnuts, or add raisins for a chewy texture. For a lower-sugar glaze, reduce powdered sugar or use natural sweeteners like maple syrup.
If you love baking vegan breads, you might also enjoy our Vegan Bread Maker Recipe for Soft and Delicious Loaves, which makes bread making easy and accessible.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving (1 slice) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sodium | 210 mg |
Serving Suggestions
Serve your vegan King Cake as a festive breakfast or dessert. It pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
For a fun Mardi Gras brunch, try it alongside vegan versions of traditional dishes like our Vegan Slow Cooker Recipe for Easy, Delicious Meals or a fresh fruit salad.
You can also slice it thin and enjoy as a sweet snack throughout the day. Leftovers are delicious toasted or warmed in the oven, making it a versatile treat that keeps on giving.
Conclusion
Making a vegan King Cake is a wonderful way to celebrate Mardi Gras or any festive occasion with a thoughtful plant-based twist. This recipe brings together a soft, tender dough, warm cinnamon flavors, and vibrant colors to create a show-stopping centerpiece for your table.
It’s approachable for home bakers and perfect for sharing with friends and family, whether they’re vegan or not.
By using simple, wholesome ingredients, this King Cake delivers on both taste and tradition. Don’t forget to explore more exciting vegan recipes on our site for inspiration, such as the Vegan Flour Tortilla Recipe Easy, Soft, and Homemade or the vibrant Vegan Cuban Recipes: Delicious Plant-Based Island Flavor.
Happy baking, and laissez les bons temps rouler!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegan King Cake
Description: A festive and delicious vegan king cake perfect for celebrations. This recipe features a soft, cinnamon-spiced dough with a sweet glaze and colorful sugar topping.
Prep Time: PT30M
Cook Time: PT25M
Total Time: PT55M
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm almond milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, melted
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- Colored sanding sugar (purple, green, gold) for topping
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm almond milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar; let sit 5 minutes.
- Mix in melted vegan butter, orange juice, vanilla, remaining sugar, and spices.
- Gradually add flour and salt; knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- Roll dough into a large oval, brush with melted vegan butter, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar.
- Roll dough tightly into a log and form a ring; pinch ends to seal.
- Place on baking sheet, cover, and let rise 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix powdered sugar and water to make glaze; drizzle over cooled cake.
- Sprinkle colored sanding sugar on top.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Carbs: 50g
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