Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

A festive Mardi Gras cake with a cream cheese and pecan filling, this recipe offers a simple approach to preparing a traditional seasonal treat.

Category Tags:

DessertCake

Cuisine Tags:

American

This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  2. Prepare the filling by processing 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup pecans until combined. Optionally, add 1/2 cup drained rum-soaked raisins; set aside.

  3. Unroll crescent roll dough, separate into triangles, and arrange them on a sprayed or parchment-lined baking sheet to form a large circle, overlapping long sides by 1/4-inch with points toward the center.

  4. Form a complete circle with the triangles, leaving outer and inner edges unsealed for adjustment.

  5. Press the center edges of the triangles together where the filling will be, keeping outer and inner edges unsealed.

  6. Spread the prepared filling evenly in a ring in the dough's center.

  7. Place a small token into the filling.

  8. Fold the outer edge of each triangle over the filling.

  9. Continue folding until the filling is fully enclosed.

  10. Lift the pointed ends of the triangles over the cake toward the outer rim, tucking points if needed, and lightly press seams to seal.

  11. Whisk egg and milk for an egg wash; brush it over the cake.

  12. Optionally, add sanding sugar stripes for color. Bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes until golden brown; cool completely.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

Calories: 3773 kcal
Carbohydrate: 443 g
Cholesterol: 683 mg
Fiber: 18 g
Protein: 61 g
Saturated Fat: 97 g
Sodium: 2709 mg
Sugar: 280 g
Fat: 204 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g