Sourdough King Cake Recipe
Sourdough King Cake Recipe is a festive, soft, and flavourful bread made using sourdough starter. Filled with cinnamon, brown sugar, pecans, and raisins, it offers a tender, slightly tangy texture. Topped with creamy icing and colourful sprinkles, it creates a joyful, celebratory treat. This recipe is easy to follow, delicious, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or stand mixer with dough hook
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Bundt pan
- Parchment paper
- Small saucepan (for melting butter)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
For The Dough:
- ½ cup sourdough starter discard
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup whole milk lukewarm
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- Zest of ½ lemon
- ¼ cup honey
For The Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup chopped pecans
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ cup raisins
- ¼ cup melted butter for brushing
For The Icing & Topping:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 –2 tbsp milk or cream adjust for consistency
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles green, purple, gold for decoration
Instructions
Step 1: Make The Dough
- In a large bowl, mix together the sourdough starter discard, milk, egg, vanilla, honey, lemon zest, sugar, and salt. Stir until everything is well blended.
Step 2: Add The Flour And Butter
- Slowly add the flour and softened butter, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Knead for about 8–10 minutes, either by hand or with a mixer, until the dough becomes smooth and stretchy.
Step 3: Let It Rise
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Leave it to rise at room temperature for 6–8 hours (or overnight) until it has doubled in size.
Step 4: Prepare The Filling
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, chopped pecans, and raisins. Set this mixture aside.
Step 5: Shape The Cake
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread the filling evenly across the surface, then roll the dough tightly from the long edge to make a log. Join the two ends to form a ring and pinch them together to seal.
Step 6: Second Rise
- Place the ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover it again and let it rest for 1–2 hours, until it looks slightly puffed.
Step 7: Bake The Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the dough with melted butter and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the cake is golden brown. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 8: Make The Icing And Decorate
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, milk, and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake, then immediately sprinkle with green, purple, and gold sugar for the classic Mardi Gras finish.