cinnamon roll recipe – recipesshubb

King Cake Cinnamon Rolls (Soft Brioche-Style Dough)

This soft, rich brioche-style dough is the perfect base for making King Cakes, the iconic Mardi Gras dessert traditionally enjoyed from Epiphany through Fat Tuesday. Light, buttery, and tender, this dough is rolled like cinnamon rolls, filled with warm spices or creamy fillings, then shaped into a ring and decorated with colorful sugar.

Unlike standard bread dough, King Cake dough is enriched with eggs, milk, and butter, giving it a plush texture and subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with cinnamon, cream cheese, fruit, or chocolate fillings. This recipe creates a bakery-quality King Cake that’s impressive, festive, and deeply satisfying.

What Makes This Dough Perfect for King Cake

This brioche-style dough is exceptionally soft and elastic, allowing it to be rolled and shaped easily without tearing. Once baked, it remains tender and rich, even when served at room temperature—ideal for parties and celebrations.

The cinnamon roll method ensures even distribution of filling and a beautiful spiral crumb inside the finished King Cake.

Ingredients (1 Large King Cake)

Brioche-Style Dough

¾ cup warm whole milk (110°F / 43°C)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (traditional but optional)

Cinnamon Filling (Classic)

½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter, very soft

Cream Cheese Filling (Optional Alternative)

6 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
1 small plastic baby (traditional, optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.

Add the remaining sugar, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until combined. Gradually add the flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Add the softened butter gradually, kneading until fully incorporated and the dough becomes glossy and very soft.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1½ to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

2. Roll and Fill

Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 10 x 20 inches.

Spread softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture, or spread the cream cheese filling evenly if using.

Roll the dough tightly from the long side, like a cinnamon roll log. Pinch the seam closed.

3. Shape the King Cake

Transfer the rolled dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Carefully form it into a large oval or circle, pinching the ends together to seal.

If using a plastic baby, insert it into the bottom of the dough after baking (never bake it inside).

Cover loosely and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.

4. Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the King Cake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.

Allow the cake to cool slightly before decorating.

5. Glaze and Decorate

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make a thick but pourable glaze. Drizzle generously over the warm King Cake.

Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar in alternating sections.

Tips for the Best King Cake

Use very soft butter, not melted, for the best dough texture.
Do not overbake—a soft crumb is essential.
For extra flavor, add orange or lemon zest to the dough.
King Cake is best served the day it’s made but stays soft for up to 2 days when covered.

Flavor Variations

Cinnamon Sugar (classic)
Cream Cheese Swirl
Apple Cinnamon
Chocolate Hazelnut
Pecan Praline

Serving & Tradition

King Cake is traditionally served with coffee during Mardi Gras celebrations. Whoever finds the baby inside is said to have good luck and must bring the next King Cake!