The first time I encountered a King Cake, I was mesmerized by its vibrant colors and lavish decorations. But it wasn’t until I experimented with a modern twist—infusing lavender and honey into the dough—that I truly fell in love with this festive treat. This recipe combines traditional flavors with innovative techniques, resulting in a King Cake that’s not only a feast for the eyes but also a celebration of taste. Let’s dive into this culinary adventure!

Ingredients

For the Lavender Honey Dough:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp culinary-grade dried lavender
  • 1/4 cup honey

For the Citrus Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

For the Glaze and Decoration:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
  • Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for decoration

Instructions

Making the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and honey. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, dried lavender, and salt. Add the melted butter, eggs, and the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Preparing the Filling:

While the dough is rising, in a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange zest, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Shaping the King Cake:

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 18×12 inches.

Spread the citrus cream cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll the dough tightly from one long side to the other, forming a log.

Shape the log into a ring and pinch the ends together to seal. Carefully place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Baking the Cake:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the cake has risen, bake it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Glazing and Decorating:

In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with enough milk to achieve a pourable glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.

While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle the sanding sugars in alternating sections of purple, green, and gold to create a festive look.

Serving Suggestions

Slice the King Cake and serve it at your next celebration or gathering. Don’t forget to hide a small figurine or a bean inside the cake for the traditional fun! Enjoy the floral notes of lavender intertwined with the citrusy cream cheese filling—it’s a delightful twist on a classic!

Happy baking and may your King Cake be as vibrant as your celebrations!