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California-Inspired King Cake with Prune Cream Cheese Filling and Mascarpone Topping Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 105 reviews
  • Author: Julian
  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x

Description

This California-Inspired King Cake is a delightful twist on the traditional Mardi Gras treat, featuring a soft, enriched yeast dough filled with a luscious cream cheese and California prune filling. Topped with a light mascarpone whipped cream and colorful sanding sugars in green, purple, and gold, this cake brings bright citrus zest and nutty crunch for a festive and flavorful celebration dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 ¼-ounce package active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoon orange blossom water
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Filling Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
  • 1 cup California prune puree
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cane syrup (or maple syrup as substitute)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 orange, zested
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Topping Ingredients

  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 8-ounce mascarpone cheese
  • Green, purple, and gold/yellow sanding sugars for garnish

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the yeast and ½ teaspoon sugar with ¼ cup water heated to 115°F (45°C). Let it sit until foaming, about 10 minutes, signaling the yeast is active.
  2. Prepare Dough Mixture: Add the remaining sugar, whole milk, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, orange blossom water, egg, and egg yolk to the yeast mixture. Using the bread hook attachment, mix on low speed for 1 minute.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients and Knead: With the mixer off, sift in the flour and salt. Turn the mixer to high and knead for 4 minutes. Add softened butter in chunks and knead for another 5-6 minutes until dough is smooth and pulls away from bowl sides. Add flour by tablespoon if sticky.
  4. First Proof: Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
  5. Make Filling: In a food processor or bowl, combine cream cheese, California prune puree, dark brown sugar, cane syrup, cinnamon, salt, and orange zest. Pulse or whisk until fully combined. Set aside with chopped nuts.
  6. Roll Out Dough: Punch down the dough and turn onto a heavily floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle, approximately 18-20 inches wide by 12 inches deep, about ¼-inch thick.
  7. Spread Filling and Nuts: Evenly spread the prune filling over the dough with an offset spatula, leaving a 1-inch margin on both long edges. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the filling.
  8. Form Cake: Starting at the long edge nearest you, roll the dough tightly away from you like a cinnamon roll. Join the ends to form a circle, overlapping them to seal. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
  9. Second Proof: Let the dough rest and rise for 1 hour.
  10. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  11. Bake: Remove plastic wrap and bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, or until deep golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too quickly. Internal temperature should reach 190°F (90°C) for perfect doneness.
  12. Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely before adding topping.
  13. Prepare Mascarpone Topping: Chill the mixer bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes. Whip together whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, then fold gently into mascarpone cheese to create a smooth whipped topping.
  14. Apply Topping and Garnish: Spread the mascarpone mixture evenly over the cooled cake. Decorate with green, purple, and gold sanding sugars for a festive look.
  15. Serve: Slice and serve this celebratory California-inspired King Cake with friends and family.

Notes

  • Use a probe thermometer for precise baking doneness to avoid under or overbaking.
  • Substitute maple syrup if cane syrup is unavailable.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or walnuts.
  • Orange blossom water adds a subtle floral note but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • Ensure dough is not too sticky before the first proof by adding flour incrementally.
  • Allow cake to cool completely to prevent the topping from melting.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: King Cake, California Prune, Mardi Gras Cake, Cream Cheese Filling, Festive Cake, Holiday Dessert

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Find it online: https://juliandempsey.com/california-inspired-king-cake-with-prune-cream-cheese-filling-and-mascarpone-topping-recipe/