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    Home » All Recipes

    Published: Feb 7, 2021 · Modified: Jan 4, 2023 by Courtney Hunter · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Delicious Vegan King Cake

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    This vegan king cake is easier than it looks and tastes delicious! If you're looking for a treat for a mardi gras celebration or just something yummy, give this cake a try.

    Tasty Vegan Kings Cake

    Have you ever had a delicious vegan kings cake? I hadn't for years and finally decided I wanted to know what all the hype is about.

    A king's cake is basically a giant cinnamon roll.

    You make a yeast dough and then fill it. I chose a cinnamon/sugar/pecan filling.

    If you aren't into nuts in your dessert, then you can leave it out.

    Typically Kings Cake is made for Mardi Gras Day, which is Fat Tuesday.

    People often hide a little plastic baby in the cake and whoever has the piece with the baby has to buy the king's cake next year.

    There are different rules that go with finding the baby.

    One is the above; another is you'll have good luck and prosperity all year (we could use that about now).

    I am sure there are more, but that's what I found in my limited research.

    If you choose to put a toy baby in the cake, I would suggest not baking it in the cake. I would suggest that you make a slit on the bottom of the cake and shove it in there.

    Also, warn whoever may be getting a slice of the cake of a potential choking hazard.

    When decorating the king's cake, you put frosting on it and then put yellow, purple, and green sprinkles on them.

    The colors bring meaning to the cake, yellow or gold meaning power, purple meaning justice, and green faith.

    That concludes your very short, not full of information, and limited research on the Kings Cake.

    Vegan Kings cake

    What ingredients do you need for this delicious vegan kings cake?

    Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

    • non-dairy milk (almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, whichever you prefer)
    • vegan butter
    • warm
    • yeast
    • sugar
    • ground flax seeds or vegan egg replacers
    • salt
    • nutmeg
    • all purpose flour
    • brown sugar
    • cinnamon
    • chopped nuts, I used pecans
    • powdered sugar
    • vanilla extract
    • Yellow, Green, and Purple Sprinkles
    Sliced vegan kings cake

    How do you make this vegan king cake recipe?

    Take your stand mixer and put your warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. 

    Let this bubble up to activate the yeast for about 5 minutes.

    While you're waiting, make your flax egg and set it aside.

    Mix this together after your yeast has proofed; add your plant milk, soft vegan butter, salt, nutmeg, and flax egg.

    Now add the flour and knead with the dough hook for about 5 minutes.

    Your dough shouldn't be sticky.

    If it's way too sticky, add 1 TB of flour until it's not but be careful not to over flour.

    kings cake dough pre rise
    pre-rise

    After 5 minutes:

    • Remove the dough with one hand.
    • Spray the bowl with cooking spray.
    • Place the dough back in the bowl.

    Cover bowl with a clean dish rag and put it in a warm place to rise. (I usually let my oven preheat to about 100 degrees, then shut the oven off and put my bowl to rise there.

    kings cake dough after rise
    The dough after the rise

    Let the dough rise for 1-1.5 hours.

    While the dough is rising, make the cinnamon filling by combining all the ingredients. 

    kings cake filling
    filling

    Take the butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter until all combined.

    kings cake with filling

    When the dough has risen punch it down and then roll it out in a rectangle (onto a Silpat or parchment paper), sprinkle the filling onto half of the dough, and then fold the dough over it *Pictures posted above.

    folding the kings cake

    You have two options;

    You can either braid it or roll it up, make a circle, pinch the dough together, and then make slits in it every couple of inches for a fun design.

    step by step kings cake folding directions

    Or braid it; braiding is a little bit more challenging.

     Basically, look at the photos above, where you get a sharp knife and cut the dough into three long strips as even as you can, then try to pinch the dough together so that the filling doesn't fall out.

    Then combine the three pieces of dough at the start of your braid, then braid like you would a braid *as you can see, I'm not very good at this*

    But maybe you will be better. 

    Make a big circle and pinch it together when the braid is done. 

    Carefully place the Silpat with the dough on it onto a baking sheet.

    Cover with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes.

    Preheat to oven to 375 degrees.

    Bake this for 18-25 minutes.

    Check the dough in the middle to ensure it's not too doughy.

    vegan kings cake frosted

    Let this cake cool for a bit and make the frosting.

    Make the frosting by combining the ingredients and stirring.

    If it's too thick, add a little more plant milk, a teaspoon at a time.

    Frost your cake; I used a pastry brush, and then if you are using sprinkles then quickly sprinkle the three colors on, alternating the colors on top of the cake.

    How do you serve a king cake?

    This is best served at room temperature in slices.

    Vegan kings cake

    How do you store leftover king cake?

    Let the cake come to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days.

    Can you freeze it?

    Yes, you can freeze this cake in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

    Let defrost on the counter before eating.

    Want some other delicious vegan dessert recipes?

    • Amazing Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
    • Easy Vegan Baked Donuts
    • Vegan Poppy Seed Bread

    Vegan Kings Cake

    This vegan kings cake is perfect for your Mardi Gras celebration or just because you want a tasty cake!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: All Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Additional Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 -10
    Calories: 510kcal
    Author: Courtney Hunter

    Ingredients

    cake

    • ½ cup + 1 TB vegan milk
    • 2 TB vegan butter
    • ⅓ cup water warm
    • 2 1/14 teaspoon yeast
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 2 Flax eggs 2 TB flax seeds with 4 TB water, or your favorite egg replacer
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • 3 ¼ cup flour

    Filling

    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1 TB cinnamon
    • ⅔ cup chopped nuts I used pecans
    • ½ cup flour
    • 6 TB vegan butter cold

    Frosting

    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 2 ½ TB vegan milk *Or as needed
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla

    Optional

    • Yellow Green, and Purple Sprinkles

    Instructions

    • Take your stand mixer and put in your warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let this bubble up to activate the yeast for about 5 minutes. While you're waiting, make your flax egg and set it aside. 
    • After your yeast has been proofed, then add your plant milk, soft vegan butter, salt, nutmeg, and flax egg; mix this together. Now add the flour and knead with the dough hook for about 5 minutes. Your dough shouldn't be sticky. If it's way too sticky, add 1 TB of flour until it's not, but be careful not to over flour. After 5 minutes, remove the dough with one hand, spray the bowl with cooking spray, and place the dough back in the bowl. 
    • Cover the bowl with a clean dish rag and put it in a warm place to rise. (I usually let my oven preheat to about 100 degrees, then shut the oven off and put my bowl in the warm but shut off oven to rise there. Rise for 1-1.5 hours.
    • While the dough rises, make the filling by combining all the ingredients. Take the butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter until combined. 
    • When the dough has risen, punch it down, roll it out in a rectangle (on a Silpat), sprinkle the filling onto half of the dough, and then fold the dough over it *Pictures posted above. You have two options... You can either braid it or roll it up, make a circle, pinch the dough together, and then make slits in it every couple of inches for a fun design. Or braid it; braiding is a little bit more challenging. Look at the photos above, where you cut the dough into three pieces and then try to pinch the dough together so that the filling doesn't fall out. Then combine the three pieces of dough at the start of your braid, then braid like you would a braid *as you can see, I'm not very good at this* But maybe you will be better. Make a big circle and pinch it together when the braid is done. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes. 
    • Preheat to oven to 375 degrees. Bake this for 18-20 minutes. Check the dough in the middle to ensure it's not too doughy. Let this cool for a bit and make the frosting.
    • Make the frosting by combining the ingredients and stirring. If it's too thick, add a little more plant milk, a teaspoon at a time.
    • Frost your cake; I used a pastry brush, and if you are using sprinkles, then quickly sprinkle the three colors on, alternating the colors. 

    Notes

    See blog for post recipe Q&A

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 510kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 290mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 45g
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @courtneyshomestead or tag #courtneyshomestead!

    If you loved this recipe, then give it a 5 star rating and leave a comment! I love to chat with you all. Please feel free to share on social media and tag #courtneyshomestead. I would love to see you over on Instagram or Facebook. 

    Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through them, I will earn a small commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you. Please see full disclosure policy here

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    Hey there! I'm Courtney a self-taught vegan cook and baker, as well as a recipe developer and food photographer based in Oregon. My cooking style revolves around giving classic recipes a vegan twist. Whether you're a die-hard vegan or not, I'm here to share my absolute favorite plant-based recipes that are sure to satisfy everyone's taste buds. Come on in and discover your new go-to vegan recipe that will make you proud to share! Want to learn more about me? Check out my About Me page.

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