Crust & Crumb Academy
Crust & Crumb Academy · Sourdough
King Cake: A Mardi Gras Tradition Worth Mastering
Crust & Crumb Academy Seal
Prep Time
45 minutes
🕐
Total Time
24+ hours
💧
Hydration
N/A (enriched dough)
🍞
Yield
1 large oval ring (serves 12-16)
🌡
Bake Temp
350°F

Pillowy, flavorful king cake that stays soft for days

Ingredients

GramsVolumeIngredientBaker's %
Tangzhong (Water Roux)
25g3 tbspAll-purpose flour
75g1/3 cupWhole milk
Dough
475g3 3/4 cupsAll-purpose flour
7g2 1/4 tsp{{instant-yeast}}
50g1/4 cupGranulated sugar
30g1 1/2 tbspHoney
7g1 1/4 tspFine sea salt
150g (3 large)3 largeLarge eggs, room temperature
80ml1/3 cupWhole milk, warm (100-110°F)
115g1/2 cup (1 stick)Unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 large orange1 large orangeOrange zest
1/2 tsp1/2 tspGround cardamom
Cinnamon-Praline Filling
115g1/2 cup (1 stick)Unsalted butter
150g3/4 cupDark brown sugar, packed
2 tsp2 tspGround cinnamon
1/4 tsp1/4 tspFine sea salt
100g1 cupFinely chopped pecans
1 tbsp1 tbspBourbon (optional)
Brown Butter Cream Cheese Icing
115g1/2 cup (1 stick)Unsalted butter
115g4 ozCream cheese, softened
250g2 cupsPowdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp1 tspVanilla extract
2-3 tbsp2-3 tbspHeavy cream
For Finishing
as neededas neededPurple sanding sugar
as neededas neededGreen sanding sugar
as neededas neededGold sanding sugar
2-3 tbsp2-3 tbspHeavy cream (for brushing)

Process

1
Combine flour and milk
Whisk flour and milk together in a small saucepan until no lumps remain.
2
Cook until thickened
Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to pudding consistency, about 2-3 minutes.
3
Cool completely
Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature before using.
4
Combine dry ingredients
In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together flour, instant-yeast, sugar, salt, orange zest, and cardamom.
5
Add wet ingredients
Add the cooled tangzhong, eggs, milk, and honey. Mix on low speed until a shaggy-mass forms.
6
Add butter gradually
With the mixer running on medium-low, add the cold butter cubes a few at a time. This takes 5-7 minutes.
7
Knead until smooth
Continue mixing for another 3-4 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
8
Refrigerate overnight
Transfer to a lightly greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight (8-24 hours).
9
Roll to rectangle
Roll the cold dough to a 20 x 14 inch rectangle using a rolling-pin.
10
Leave borders
Spread filling leaving a 1-inch border on all sides, especially on the sealing edge.
11
Roll tightly
Roll from the long side into a tight log, pinching the seam firmly to seal.
12
Form the oval
Connect ends to form an oval ring, pinching firmly. Place seam side down.
13
Make scissor cuts
Cut every 2 inches, about halfway through the dough.
14
Position rack
Place rack in center of oven. Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
15
Bake
Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top and internal temperature reaches 190°F.
16
Brush with cream
Immediately brush hot cake with heavy cream to lock in moisture.
17
Cool completely
Let cool on wire rack for at least 1 hour before icing.

Baker's Percentages

All-purpose flour
5%
Whole milk
16%
All-purpose flour
100%
Instant yeast
1%
Granulated sugar
11%
Honey
6%
📐 Learn How Baker's % Works →
Henry's Tip

The tangzhong should be the consistency of thick pudding or mashed potatoes.

Classroom Lessons

Check out the Goldie and DoughBed from SourHouse - Use code HBK23