Gluten Free King Cake Recipe

Bake a stunning gluten free king cake recipe perfect for Mardi Gras! This gluten-free celebration cake features pecan praline & cream cheese filling. Easy step-by-step guide.

There’s something absolutely magical about Mardi Gras morning in our kitchen—the smell of cinnamon, pecans, and butter swirling through the air while we shape a gorgeous gluten free king cake recipe.

I used to think creating this gluten-free celebration cake was completely out of reach, but then I discovered how perfectly this gluten free Mardi Gras king cake comes together with the right technique and a reliable gluten-free bread flour blend.

This gluten free king cake recipe isn’t just a dessert—it’s tradition wrapped in purple, green, and gold icing. The soft, pillowy dough combined with buttery pecan praline and smooth cream cheese filling creates something truly special that your whole family will celebrate together.

Ingredients

Gluten Free Sweet Dough

Ingredient	Amount
Whole milk	180 ml
Granulated sugar	100 grams
Whole psyllium husks	5 grams
Instant yeast	12 grams
Large egg, room temperature	1
Butter, very soft or melted	85 grams
Kim’s gluten-free bread flour blend	245 grams
Baking powder	1 teaspoon
Kosher salt	½ teaspoon

Praline Pecan Filling

Ingredient	Amount
Butter	28 grams (2 tbsp)
Maple syrup	60 grams (4 tbsp)
Brown sugar	100 grams (½ cup)
Cinnamon	1 teaspoon
Chopped pecans	125 grams (1 cup)

Cream Cheese Filling

Ingredient	Amount
Cream cheese	226 grams (8 oz)
Powdered sugar	63 grams (½ cup)
Vanilla	1 teaspoon

Icing & Topping

Ingredient	Amount
Powdered sugar	180 grams (1½ cups)
Milk	2–3 tablespoons
Vanilla extract	1 tablespoon
Colored sanding sugar	Purple, green, and gold

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sweet Dough

Add all dough ingredients to your stand mixer bowl in the order listed, then mix or knead on medium speed for exactly 5 minutes until the gluten-free celebration cake dough comes together beautifully. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it proof until it doubles in size—this usually takes 1–2 hours depending on your kitchen temperature. Once doubled, refrigerate overnight so the dough develops more flavor and becomes easier to work with.

Step 2: Prepare the Pecan Praline Filling

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the maple syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon, stirring for about 2 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely. Pour the mixture into a small bowl and let it cool to room temperature—it’ll harden slightly as it sits, making it perfect for spreading into your gluten free king cake recipe. You can even crumble it slightly once cooled for easier assembly.

Step 3: Create the Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until the mixture is smooth and spreadable, about 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer. For easier application on your gluten-free celebration cake, fill a pastry bag with the mixture and snip about a 1-inch opening at the tip. This makes piping the filling onto your dough so much neater when assembly time arrives.

Step 4: Roll & Fill the Dough

Turn your chilled dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently roll it into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle that’s about ½-inch thick. About 1 inch from the top long edge, sprinkle a line of the pecan praline filling, then pipe or dollop the cream cheese filling on top—this layering is the signature of an excellent gluten free Mardi Gras king cake.

Step 5: Shape Into a Ring

Fold the dough over your fillings and pinch the edges together to seal them securely. Now roll the remaining dough like you would a cinnamon roll, then pinch the seam closed—this creates that beautiful spiral texture throughout your gluten-free celebration cake. Using your fingers, gently squeeze and stretch the dough cylinder until it’s long enough to form an 8–9-inch oval shape.

Step 6: Create the King Cake Ring

Open up one end of your oval and carefully tuck the other end into it, then seal those edges firmly so they don’t pop open during baking. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet and loosely cover with plastic wrap, then let it rise until it’s nearly doubled in size—this usually takes 1–2 hours and transforms your gluten free king cake recipe into something wonderfully puffy.

Step 7: Bake Until Golden

Preheat your oven to 350°F while your cake finishes rising, then bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the kitchen smells absolutely incredible. You’ll know it’s perfectly baked when the exterior has that gorgeous golden color and a light tap on the side sounds hollow.

Step 8: Make & Apply the Glaze

While the cake bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2–3 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract, adding milk gradually until you have a thick paste that coats a spoon—don’t use a whisk for thick icing as it may break or clump up. Use a silicone spatula instead to stir. When your gluten free Mardi Gras king cake comes out of the oven, immediately spoon the glaze over the warm cake and sprinkle the purple, green, and gold colored sanding sugar in a festive pattern on top.

Step 9: Serve & Celebrate

Let your gluten-free celebration cake cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature with confidence knowing you’ve created something absolutely spectacular. Share it with your favorite people and soak up all those happy Mardi Gras memories.

Substitutions

Using a different gluten-free bread flour blend: You can substitute Kim’s gluten-free bread flour blend with another quality 1-to-1 gluten-free flour designed for yeast breads, though results may vary slightly in texture. Make sure your chosen blend includes psyllium husk or xanthan gum for structure in your gluten free king cake recipe.

Swapping whole milk for dairy-free options: While the original recipe calls for whole milk, you can experiment with unsweetened almond or oat milk in equal amounts, though this hasn’t been officially tested for your gluten-free celebration cake. The texture might be slightly different, so make notes for future baking.

Replacing butter with coconut oil: You can use equal parts melted coconut oil instead of butter throughout the dough and fillings for a dairy-free version of this gluten free Mardi Gras king cake. The flavor will be subtly different, but the texture remains wonderful.

Using a different nut for the praline: Pecans are traditional, but you can substitute with walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios if that works better for your gluten-free celebration cake. Toast your chosen nuts first for extra depth of flavor.

Looking to expand your gluten-free celebration baking beyond this gluten free king cake recipe? Check out our complete collection of gluten-free chocolate treats featuring decadent options that pair wonderfully with festive occasions.

Troubleshooting Tips

The dough isn’t rising properly: Instant yeast loses potency over time, so make sure yours is fresh and stored in a cool, dry place—expired yeast is the most common culprit for your gluten free king cake recipe not rising as expected. If your kitchen is cold, try placing the covered bowl in a slightly warm oven (with the light on) to encourage rising.

The filling is too liquidy or won’t stay in place: Your pecan praline might not have cooled enough before assembly—let it sit for at least 10–15 minutes until it firms up slightly so it holds its shape in your gluten-free celebration cake. If the cream cheese filling is too soft, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before piping.

The cake spreads too much during baking: Your dough may have been over-proofed, which happens if it rose too long before baking your gluten free Mardi Gras king cake. Aim for nearly doubled in size, not triple—once it passes that point, the dough loses strength. You can also try refrigerating the shaped cake for 30 minutes before baking.

The glaze is too thick or too thin: Powdered sugar consistency varies, so add milk gradually one tablespoon at a time until your gluten-free celebration cake glaze reaches that perfect thick-paste consistency that coats smoothly without running off immediately. It should cling to the warm cake beautifully.

Storage & Meal Prep

Same-day storage: Your gluten free king cake recipe is absolutely best enjoyed the day it’s made when the dough is at its softest and most flavorful. If serving later, cover it loosely with a clean kitchen towel at room temperature and it’ll stay fresh and delicious.

Refrigerator storage: Cover your leftover gluten-free celebration cake with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it’ll keep beautifully for up to 5 days. The cake remains soft even after chilling, making it perfect for extended celebrations.

Reheating instructions: Pop a slice into the microwave for 20–30 seconds to warm it through and bring back that just-baked tenderness to your gluten free Mardi Gras king cake. You can also warm the entire cake wrapped in foil at 300°F for about 10 minutes if you prefer.

Make-ahead strategy: You can prepare both fillings a day ahead and refrigerate them separately in airtight containers, then assemble and bake your gluten-free celebration cake the day you want to serve it. This spreads out the work perfectly for your Mardi Gras celebration.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Serve your warm gluten free king cake recipe with strong, rich coffee or hot chocolate for that ultimate cozy moment—the warmth and sweetness complement each other beautifully. A glass of cold milk is equally perfect if you prefer something cool.

A dollop of fresh whipped cream on top of your slice adds luxury and richness to this gluten-free celebration cake, especially if you’re serving it at room temperature. You can even add a pinch of cinnamon to the whipped cream for extra festive flavor.

This gluten free Mardi Gras king cake pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries to balance the richness of the pecan praline and cream cheese fillings. The bright fruit cuts through the sweetness and makes for a more balanced plate.

Traditionally, this gluten-free celebration cake is shared with family and friends during Mardi Gras festivities, so consider making it the centerpiece of your celebration. It’s meant to be enjoyed together, laughed over, and savored.

Variations

Chocolate variation: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough and fill with chocolate ganache instead of cream cheese for a decadent twist on your gluten free king cake recipe. This creates a sophisticated, darker version that chocolate lovers absolutely adore.

Berry-filled version: Skip the praline and fill your gluten-free celebration cake with a mixture of fresh or frozen berries mixed with a little sugar and cornstarch. This lighter option is perfect for spring celebrations and creates a beautifully colored filling in your gluten free Mardi Gras king cake.

Cinnamon roll inspired: For a simpler version of this gluten-free celebration cake, skip the cream cheese and just use the pecan praline filling with a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar. This strips the recipe down to its essence while still delivering that incredible flavor.

Vanilla bean variation: Replace the regular vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste in both the cream cheese filling and the glaze for a more elegant, flecked appearance in your gluten free king cake recipe. Those little black specks look incredibly professional and taste amazing.

Maple-only filling: If you love maple, combine the maple syrup with cream cheese instead of making two separate fillings for your gluten-free celebration cake. This simplified approach creates a wonderful maple cream filling that’s absolutely delicious.

FAQs About Gluten Free King Cake Recipe

Final Thoughts

Creating a gluten free king cake recipe from scratch is a beautiful way to reclaim tradition and celebrate with confidence, knowing that gluten-free doesn’t mean missing out on special moments. This gluten-free celebration cake brings together incredible flavors—buttery dough, sweet pecan praline, tangy cream cheese, and festive colors—that make Mardi Gras truly special.

Whether this is your first time attempting a gluten free Mardi Gras king cake or you’re returning to an old family favorite, trust that you’re capable of creating something absolutely spectacular. Your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and your family’s going to be so impressed.

Learn more about authoritative research on gluten-free flour blends and their properties from trusted gluten-free health organizations to deepen your understanding of how different flours perform in yeast-based recipes like this gluten-free celebration cake.