Mardi Gras isn’t complete without a slice of King Cake, and this one is fit for royalty. Lifeway Farmer Cheese gives the filling a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a boost of protein, while a smooth, indulgent icing made with Lifeway Kefir infuses the cake with protein and live probiotics to give your gut some extra love while you indulge. Cut yourself a slice, and let the good times roll!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 1 hour Servings: 10-12
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 cups Organic Whole Milk Plain Kefir
- 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup Lifeway Kefir Butter*
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
For the Farmer Cheese Filling:
- 1 (16 oz.) container Farmer Cheese
- 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/4 cup organic coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup slightly melted Lifeway Kefir Butter*
For the Icing:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup additional Whole Milk Plain Lifeway Kefir
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Natural-colored purple, green, and gold decorating sugar (or you can just use sprinkles)
Directions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
For the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Slowly pour in the kefir, stirring as you pour, and let it sit for 10 minutes on the counter.- In a large bowl, cream together the kefir butter, eggs, and vanilla until thick and creamy.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, until you get a thick dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a metal or glass bowl, and cover it while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Make the Filling:
While the dough is rising, prepare the farmer cheese filling. In a bowl, combine Lifeway Farmer Cheese, sugar, flour, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy.Assemble the King Cake:
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface; if it has risen, punch it down a bit to flatten. Then, roll the dough into a large rectangle (about 12x18 inches).- In a small bowl, combine coconut sugar and cinnamon for the swirl. Brush the melted kefir butter over the flattened rectangular slab of dough, then sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Spread the farmer cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along one of the long edges.
- Starting from the opposite long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal. Carefully transfer the log to the baking sheet lined with parchment paper from step 1. Shape the log into an oval or circle, tucking the ends underneath and pinching to seal.
Bake the King Cake:
Bake the king cake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.Decorate the King Cake:
While the cake is cooling, prepare the icing. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, Lifeway Kefir, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar or use sprinkles instead.
