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bread machine king cake

Bread Machine King Cake

Caitlyn Free
This easy bread machine king cake is soft, fluffy, and full of cinnamon flavor. The bread machine does all the work for the dough, making this a simple and approachable Mardi Gras tradition for any home kitchen.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Bread Machine Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 12 people
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

Bread Machine Dough

  • ½ cup warm water
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • 1 egg
  • 6 tablespoons butter melted or very soft
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 3¾ cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast 1 packet
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Classic Cinnamon Sugar Filling

  • 1 stick butter softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional

Cream Cheese Topping

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Add the liquid ingredients to the bread machine pan first, followed by the dry ingredients, with the yeast added last.
  • Select the dough cycle and start the machine. During the first 5–10 minutes, check that the dough forms a soft, smooth ball. Adjust with water or flour if needed.
  • When the dough cycle is complete, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press to release air bubbles and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Roll the dough into a large rectangle about ¼-inch thick. Spread your chosen filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  • Roll the dough into a log, pinch the seam closed, and shape into a ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let rise for 30–45 minutes until slightly puffy.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the king cake for 25–30 minutes, until lightly golden.
  • Allow the cake to cool for 10–15 minutes. Prepare the glaze by beating cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Spread glaze over the cake and decorate with sanding sugar.

Notes

Estimated nutrition: Approximately 420–460 calories per slice, based on 12 servings. Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on ingredients and portion size.