Bavarian Cream King Cake Recipe
A delicious and festive twist on the classic king cake, featuring a flaky dough filled with rich Bavarian cream. Perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations or any special occasion, this cake is decorated with vibrant icing and sprinkles for a stunning presentation.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Large saucepan
- Whisk
- Rolling Pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Small bowls for icing colors
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- For the Bavarian Cream Filling:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- For the Icing and Toppings:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring purple, green, yellow
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Combine flour, salt, melted butter, milk, and egg with the yeast mixture. Knead, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- Make Bavarian Cream: Heat heavy cream and milk. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Combine with warm milk mixture and cook until thick. Stir in vanilla and cool.
- Assemble the Cake: Roll dough, spread Bavarian cream, roll it up, and form a circle. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
- Ice and Decorate: Drizzle glaze, add food coloring (purple, green, yellow), and sprinkles. Let set.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and use almond milk instead of whole milk.
You can also try different fillings like chocolate ganache or lemon curd for a unique twist on the classic.
Make sure to let the dough rise fully to achieve a soft, fluffy texture.
If you're short on time, you can use store-bought puff pastry dough instead of making your own.
