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Decorated cream cheese stuffed king cake with purple, green, and gold sugar on a festive table for Mardi Gras.
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Cream Cheese Stuffed King Cake

Super moist cinnamon dough with hints of citrus rolled around cream cheese filling, then topped with lemony icing. This king cake is perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations!
Prep Time1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Resting Time30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 510kcal
Author: 1
Cost: $15

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2.5 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, melted)
  • 0.25 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 600 grams all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Filling Ingredients

  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter (softened, 1.5 sticks)
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water

Topping Ingredients

  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Colored sanding sugar (purple, green, and gold for decorating)

Instructions

  • Take out eggs, butter, and cream cheese to soften.
  • Heat milk to 100-110°F, pour into the stand mixer bowl, sprinkle yeast over warmed milk, and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Grease a large bowl for dough proofing.
  • Add in eggs, butter, white sugar, and vanilla extract to stand mixer and mix until combined.
  • Sprinkle in flour, salt, ground cinnamon, and lemon zest. Mix until dough forms a ball and is smooth.
  • Knead dough on a floured surface until elastic, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Form into a ball, transfer to the greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  • Mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Beat until smooth.
  • After proofing, turn dough onto a floured surface and cut in half.
  • Roll each piece into a rectangle, about 10 x 18 inches and ¼ inch thick.
  • Spread half of the softened butter onto each rectangle, and sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over each rectangle.
  • Pipe half of the cream cheese filling along one long end of each rectangle.
  • Roll the dough rectangles into rolls, sealing the seam well.
  • Stretch each roll to about 24 inches long.
  • Lay the two rolls side by side on a greased baking sheet and gently twist together, forming an oval.
  • Cover again and let rise for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush king cake with egg wash, and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Mix milk, lemon juice, and vanilla together, sift in powdered sugar, and pour icing over the cooled king cake.

Notes

Your Mardi Gras won't be complete without this delicious King Cake!