This Gluten Free King Cake recipe is soft, buttery, and filled with a praline pecan cream cheese filling, topped with traditional Mardi Gras colors. Developed by someone from New Orleans, the recipe was tested multiple times to achieve a gluten-free version that matches the texture of a classic king cake. King Cake recipe gluten free is a popular treat during Mardi Gras, but this version is so delicious it can be enjoyed year-round. Mardi Gras, which translates to ‘Fat Tuesday’, is celebrated on February 17th this year, marking the day before Ash Wednesday and is rooted in the Catholic calendar, although it shares some traditions with South American Carnival.
WHAT IS KING CAKE?
King cake is a traditional Mardi Gras “cake” that’s more like a pastry or bread, similar to a giant cinnamon roll. It represents the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to baby Jesus and usually includes a small plastic baby symbolizing Jesus. King cake is typically enjoyed from early January until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Known for its richness, it’s decorated in Mardi Gras colors (green, gold, and purple), which stand for faith, power, and justice. There are many filling options, ranging from cinnamon sugar to cream cheese, and this recipe provides two choices for both the filling and the baking method.
What is Gluten Free King Cake Recipe?
Gluten Free King Cake recipe is a yummy pastry enjoyed during Mardi Gras in places like New Orleans. It’s like a big sweet bread, not like a regular cake. People eat it to celebrate the Epiphany, which is when the Three Wise Men visited baby Jesus. This new version of King Cake is for people who can’t eat gluten. It’s soft and buttery, just like the original. You can fill it with different things, like cinnamon sugar or pecan cream cheese, depending on what you like.
Gluten Free King Cake recipe is decorated with purple, green, and gold colors for Mardi Gras. Purple stands for faith, green for power, and gold for justice. Some people used to put a plastic baby in the gf king cake, but now some skip it because they’re worried about safety.
Making recipe for Gluten Free king cake has changed over time. People have tried different kinds of gluten free flour and methods to make it taste right. They’ve added things like sour cream to make it moist and soft.
Gluten Free King Cake recipe lets everyone join in the Mardi Gras fun, even if they can’t eat gluten. It’s a tasty treat for Fat Tuesday or any time during the Mardi Gras season. It’s a delicious way to celebrate the season, whether you’re at a party or enjoying it at home with family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Gluten Free King Cake Recipe
For the Cake
- 2 1/2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour blend
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
For the Filling
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold food coloring
Optional Decorations
- Colored sugar sprinkles available in purple, green, and gold.
- Plastic baby (for tradition)
How to Make a Gluten Free King Cake Recipe
Prepare the Dough
- Begin by combining warm milk and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Allow it to sit for approximately 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together gluten free all-purpose flour blend, almond flour, and salt.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if necessary.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
Prepare the Filling
- Combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
Assembly
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle measuring approximately 14×10 inches.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, ensuring to leave a small border around the edges.
- Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the butter.
- Roll the dough tightly from one long edge to form a log, then seal the seam by pinching it.
- Shape the log into a ring and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sealing the ends of the ring together.
- Cover the ring with a clean towel and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
Bake the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the king cake for 25-30 minutes until it turns golden brown and is fully cooked.
- Let it cool completely on a wire rack before applying the glaze.
Prepare the Glaze
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Divide the glaze into three separate bowls and color one purple, one green, and one gold using food coloring.
Decorate
- Once the king cake has cooled, drizzle the colored glazes over the cake in alternating sections.
- Sprinkle colored sugar sprinkles over the glaze, alternating colors.
- Optionally, insert a plastic baby into the bottom of the cake for tradition.
Enjoy your gluten free king cake recipe, and remember to hide the baby inside before serving to continue the tradition.
Experts Tips
- Use a gluten-free bread mix instead of a flour blend for a more pliable dough that’s easier to work with.
- Experiment with different fillings, such as cinnamon sugar, cream cheese, pecans, or strawberry jam, to customize your king cake.
- Decorate your king cake on the platter or board you’ll use to serve it, as it can be difficult to move once glazed.
- Before spreading the glaze, ensure the cake has cooled to room temperature to prevent it from running off.
- Hide the plastic baby inside the cake by pushing it in from the underside after baking.
Storage Tips for Gluten Free King Cake Recipe
- Room Temperature: Store leftover gluten-free king cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. This keeps the cake accessible for quick snacking or serving to guests.
- Refrigeration: For longer freshness, consider refrigerating the cake. Put the king cake in an airtight container or wrap it well with plastic wrap. It can last in the refrigerator for up to a week, though note that refrigeration may slightly dry out the cake.
- Freezing: To extend the shelf life further, wrap the king cake tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. Properly stored, it can maintain quality for up to 2-3 months. Before you want to eat it, let the cake warm up. You can do this by leaving it in the fridge overnight or just letting it sit at room temperature for a few hours.
FAQ’s for Gluten Free King Cake Recipe
Is gluten-free flour better for cakes?
Gluten-free flour in a gluten free king cake recipe is great for people who can’t eat gluten. It helps them enjoy the cake without getting sick. Whether it’s “better” depends on what you need. For some people, it’s the best choice because it doesn’t have gluten. But for others, it might taste a little different from regular cake flour. Overall, if you need to avoid gluten, gluten-free flour is a good option for making cakes.
How do I substitute gluten free flour in a cake?
If you’re making a gluten free king cake recipe, you can use gluten-free flour instead of regular flour. Look for a special gluten-free flour mix made for baking. It should have something like Xanthan gum to help hold the cake together. When you’re measuring the flour, use the same amount as the recipe says for regular flour. Just remember, gluten-free flour might make the cake a bit different in texture and how it rises.
Why does gluten-free cake taste different?
Gluten-free cakes taste different because they don’t have gluten. Gluten is what makes regular cakes stretchy and springy. Without it, gluten-free cakes can be denser or crumblier. Also, the flours and other ingredients used in gluten-free baking might have their own flavors. So, a gluten free king cake recipe might taste a bit different from a regular one.
How do you keep gluten-free king cake recipe moist?
To keep a gluten free king cake moist, you can add things like sour cream, yogurt, or apple sauce to the batter. These ingredients help keep the cake soft and moist. Also, make sure not to bake the cake for too long, as gluten-free cakes can dry out faster. Once it’s baked, store the cake in a sealed container to keep it from drying out.
How much does gluten free king cake rise?
Gluten-free king cake dough might not rise as much as regular dough because it doesn’t have gluten. But if you give it enough time to rise and use yeast or baking powder, it will still puff up a bit in the oven. It might not rise as high or as evenly as a regular king cake, but it will still get bigger when it bakes.
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Delicious Gluten Free King Cake Recipe For Mardi Gras
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 ½ cups gluten free all-purpose flour blend
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk 110°F
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
For the Filling:
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
For the Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple green, and yellow food coloring
Optional Decorations
- Colored sugar sprinkles available in purple green, and gold.
- Plastic baby for tradition
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Begin by combining warm milk and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Allow it to sit for approximately 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together gluten free all-purpose flour blend, almond flour, and salt.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if necessary.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
Prepare the Filling
- Combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
Assembly
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle measuring approximately 14x10 inches.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, ensuring to leave a small border around the edges.
- Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the butter.
- Roll the dough tightly from one long edge to form a log, then seal the seam by pinching it.
- Shape the log into a ring and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sealing the ends of the ring together.
- Cover the ring with a clean towel and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
Bake the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the king cake for 25-30 minutes until it turns golden brown and is fully cooked.
- Let it cool completely on a wire rack before applying the glaze.
Prepare the Glaze
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Divide the glaze into three separate bowls and color one purple, one green, and one gold using food coloring.
Decorate
- Once the king cake has cooled, drizzle the colored glazes over the cake in alternating sections.
- Sprinkle colored sugar sprinkles over the glaze, alternating colors.
- Optionally, insert a plastic baby into the bottom of the cake for tradition.
