Buttermilk King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling is a delightful twist on the classic Mardi Gras dessert. Traditionally enjoyed during Carnival season, King Cake is known for its vibrant colors and hidden surprises. This version adds a rich, tangy cream cheese filling to complement the soft, buttery dough made with buttermilk, giving it an extra layer of indulgence. Topped with a sugary glaze and festive purple, green, and gold sprinkles, this cake is not only visually stunning but also a delicious treat that brings the spirit of New Orleans right to your table.
Buttermilk King Cake With Cream Cheese Filling Recipe
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 1 cup buttermilk, warmed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
For the cream cheese filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For decoration:
- Purple, green, and gold sprinkles or colored sugar
Instructions:
- Prepare the dough: In a small bowl, mix the warm buttermilk and sugar until dissolved. Add the yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly and foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1½ hours or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the cream cheese filling: While the dough rises, make the filling by beating the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the cake: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle (about 10×20 inches). Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll the dough tightly from the long side, forming a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
- Shape the dough log into a ring and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pinch the ends together to seal the ring. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the cake has risen, bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed.
- Decorate the cake: Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled King Cake. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar or sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy! Don’t forget to hide a small plastic baby inside the cake before serving for a traditional surprise.
This Buttermilk King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling is a perfect centerpiece for your Mardi Gras festivities or any celebration, offering a delicious mix of buttery dough, creamy filling, and festive fun!
