Start by making the dough. First, mix the yeast with warm milk to wake it up. When it gets bubbly, add it to a big bowl with flour, sugar, salt, eggs, and soft butter. Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to mix everything until it becomes a smooth dough that pulls away from the bowl.

This should take about 5 to 7 minutes. After mixing, put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a wet cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.

While the dough is rising, get the filling ready. Mix brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter until it becomes a smooth paste. This tasty mix gives the king cake its special cinnamon-sweet flavor. Set the filling aside until the dough is ready to be filled.

After the dough has risen, softly punch it down to release any trapped air. Then, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small edge around the sides to stop any from leaking.

Carefully roll the dough from one long side to the other into a log, then shape it into a ring by connecting the ends. Don’t forget to tuck the small plastic baby or bean into the cake if you want.

Carefully place the dough ring onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow the dough to rise again for about 30 minutes. While it rises, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the cake has puffed up, bake it for 25 to 30 minutes, until it’s golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped.

As the cake cools on a rack, make the icing by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle this sweet glaze over the cooled cake. To finish, sprinkle colored sugar crystals on the icing in sections of purple, green, and gold to show the fun colors of Mardi Gras.