In Western Christian tradition, Epiphany (also known as "Three Kings Day") celebrates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. From the 19th century onwards, the tradition of the King cake has been associated with the Epiphany ("appearance" in Greek).
The mardi gras cookies also known as three kings cake take its name from the Biblical Magi, also referred to as the three kings: Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspard, who came to Jesus to offer him gifts, twelve days after his birth. The Eve of Epiphany is known as Twelfth Night, which is the last day of the Christmas season, and Epiphany Day itself commences the Epiphany season.
The origin of the cake tradition seems to be related to the Roman Saturnalia. These were festivals dedicated to the god Saturn so that the Roman people, in general, could celebrate the longer days that began to come after the winter solstice.
In the Middle Ages, it was said that the king who was chosen had to pay the assembly a general round of drinks. To prevent cheating, the edible bean was replaced by a porcelain bean. Later, Spanish and French settlers brought it to America.
It often includes a figurine, and it is believed that the individual who discovers it will have good fortune. In some regions, the three kings cake is consumed throughout Epiphany tide until the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday.
In today’s article, we will learn how to use a top-notch recipe to make an epic Mardi Gras cookies which the people in New Orleans commonly call king cake. So grab your culinary set, and let’s bake away.
Mardi Gras Cookies
A king cake is a type of cake that's associated with Mardi Gras, New Orleans, and parts of the Gulf Coast. It's a ring-shaped pastry that's usually covered in icing, then topped with yellow and purple edible glitter or sprinkles.
The cake traditionally contains a porcelain or plastic baby that is supposed to bring good luck to whoever winds up with it in their slice.
King cake is a New Orleans tradition that involves a pastry, a tiny plastic baby, and a party! The cake is baked with a tiny plastic baby hidden inside; whoever gets the slice with the baby in it has to host the next party.
Make sure to buy a new tiny plastic baby so you can get the full effect from this cake! Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar, or decorate with whole pecans and candied cherries.
Nutritional Information of Mardi Gras Cookies Per Serving
- Calories: 170cal
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 47mg
- Sodium: 301mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 69g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 31g
- Protein: 7g
- Vitamin C: 0mg
- Calcium: 53mg
- Iron: 3mg
- Potassium: 175mg
Mardi Gras Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Additional Time: 3 hrs
- Total Time: 4hrs, 15mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 2 cakes
Equipments & Kitchen Utensils Used: Baking or cookie sheet, wire rack, whisk, damp cloth or plastic wrap, medium pot & bowls (large and medium), oven, scissors, freezer, timer, measuring cup, spatula, and cake plate.
Ingredients
Pastry:
- 1 cup of milk
- ¼ cup of butter
- ⅔ cup of warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- ½ cup white sugar, divided
- 2 (.25 ounce) packages of active dry yeast
- 2 eggs
- 1½ teaspoons of salt
- ½ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
- 5½ cups of all-purpose flour
Filling:
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar
- ⅔ cup of chopped pecans
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour
- ½ cup of raisins
- 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
- ½ cup of melted butter
Glaze:
- 1 cup of confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon of water
- 1 plastic baby doll
How to Make Mardi Gras Cookies
You'll find the step-by-step recipe below in this article, but here are the instructions also along with illustrative images of what you can expect:
Making the dough
Many people always get very intimidated working with yeast especially if it’s their first time, but I promise this is really easy!
First, you want to mix up the ingredients for the dough and need it. I think it's easiest to use the dough hook attachment on the stand mixer, but you could do this by hand.
The dough is ready when it is soft and very elastic and nothing should stick to the sides of the bowl.
Set the dough aside in a lightly greased bowl for about an hour.
Allowing the dough to rest
This is one of the most important steps that cannot be skipped when making this cake. It's important for the yeast to have time to work its magic and take time to rise. If you skip the steps that allow the dough to rest, you won't have a soft and fluffy cake which is imperative to make this an authentic king cake recipe
After some rest time in the bowl, the dough should have doubled in size.
The key to achieving great results is finding a warm spot for it to rest. This can be more difficult in the winter.
The trick to ensuring the dough rises properly is to stick the bowl of dough in the oven with the light turned on. Do not turn the oven on.
The reason for this is that the oven is a completely sealed area where no cold air can get in. By turning on the light, the warmth from the oven light is enough to help the dough rise.
The ideal environment for yeast to grow and develop is 75°F to 78°F.
Since the dough had time to rest, it should double in size. You can see HOW MUCH the dough filled out the bowl here.
Shaping the dough
Once the dough has risen, divide the dough into two halves.
Roll each ball of dough into a large rectangle and spread the softened butter onto the surface.
Follow with a heavy sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.
Roll up the dough, like you're making cinnamon rolls.
Be sure to pinch the seam of the dough so it stays together.
Take the two logs (seam side down) and twist them together to form a ring. You can do this by laying one log down straight, on your surface and then gently laying over the other log, then the other to "twist" them together.
Do your best to secure the two ends together, it doesn't have to be perfect!!
The dough ring should rise again for another 20 minutes before baking and you should notice some difference in size.
Decorating Your King Cake for Mardi Gras Cookies
The icing on this cake is so good! You can use either butter or cream cheese but I highly recommend using cream cheese. That little bit of tang goes so well with the cake.
Another great thing about this icing is that it's on the thicker side.
The icing will drip down the sides to cover any imperfections, and that explosion of color will distract anyone from noticing places where the seams of the dough didn't meet perfectly.
As mentioned, purple, green, and yellow are the most traditional colors for Mardi Gras cookies.
After adding the glaze, you can alternate the colored sprinkles all around the top of the cake.
To make this cake a bit fancier, you can buy some premium sprinkles that had different shapes and styles and add those as well
Oh, and if you're wondering what those colors represent! Purple is for justice, green is for faith, and gold represents power!
Recipe Notes
- This recipe originally made 2 cakes, but upon updating it, you can halve it, but as per feedback from bakers, you can keep the amount of filling the same which makes this cake even better.
- If you want to make 2 cakes, simply double the ingredient amounts!
- This cake is best served the same day it was prepared but will store for 2-3 days at room temp. The color of the sprinkles may bleed into the icing over time.
- Be sure to tell everyone to inspect their piece of cake before they begin eating it or use a plastic toy baby that is too large to swallow.
- You can also hide an orange wedge (or three to four pecan halves) inside the cake to avoid items that may hurt someone's teeth.
- Place the toy baby on top of the cake for all to see and adore!
What Does The Baby Inside The King Cake (Mardi Gras Cookies) Mean?
Hidden in its interior, or under a slice, is a small plastic baby. Whoever finds it must either bring the next cake or throw a party, thus sparking an unending round of food and fun.
Whether at the workplace, school, or home - king cake is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the Mardi Gras Cookies season.
How to Store King Cake (Mardi Gras Cookies)
Store your leftover mardi gras cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three days.
Can You Freeze Mardi Gras Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted mardi gras cookies. Wrap each slice individually in storage wrap, then follow it up with at least one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months.
Mardi Gras Cookies – A Famous Dessert that is Surprisingly Easy to Make at Home
"This is a great recipe, a family favorite," says Lisa Kotyko. "The only modification I make is to double the filling recipe. Can't have too many pecans. Scrumptious."
"I have been making this recipe for a while," according to Erin Reeves Denk. "It is easy and delicious! And I am from Louisiana and it tastes like home."
"Easy recipe with the helpful video that I really appreciated," raves Maddie Lynn. "I subbed pistachios for the pecans and dried cranberries for the raisins. The finished pastry was much like a coffee cake, light and tasty. I'll make it again."
Let the good times roll with this authentic king cake recipe! The famous Mardi Gras Cookies is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Hidden in its interior, or under a slice, is a small plastic baby. Whoever finds it must either bring the next cake or throw a party, thus sparking an unending round of food and fun. Whether at the workplace, school, or home - king cake is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the Mardi Gras season.Frequently Asked Questions Related to King Cake
Can I make king cake at home?
Where do I buy a king cake?
What Does The Baby Inside The King Cake Mean?
Mardi Gras Cookies | Learn How to Make an Epic Mardi Gras Cookies Using This Killer Recipe (along with a Video, Recipe Notes & Essential Tips + Very Common FAQs)
"I have been making this Mardi Gras cookies recipe for a while," according to Erin Reeves Denk. "It is easy and delicious! And I am from Louisiana and it tastes like home."
Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keywords: mardi gras cookies
Recipe Yield: 4
Calories: 170cal
Preparation Time: 45M
Cooking Time: 30M
Total Time: 1H15M
Recipe Video Name: mardi gras cookies
Recipe Video Description: "I have been making this Mardi Gras cookies recipe for a while," according to Erin Reeves Denk. "It is easy and delicious! And I am from Louisiana and it tastes like home."
Recipe Ingredients:
- mardi gras cookies