Someone had to do something about the lack of creativity in the traditional yet incredibly amazing King Cake- someone had to? Right? I had to! Right? You see every year around this time King Cake’s adorn the isles of local bakeries and grocery stores. It is a tradition dating back to and one us fellow southerns will never get tired of. My husband being from New Orleans MUST (not just would like) but MUST have a king cake near the end of January. Before we met his favorite was always the cake from Rouses, a New Orleans family owned grocery store, but a las I have been able to woo him over with my latest creations over the past 2 years and I must say I am proud!
If you remember last year I attempted a King Cake recipe I found from an old old church cookbook and it was 100% perfect- ABSOLUTE PERFECTION! Being one not to mess with perfection I didn’t want to try a different King Cake recipe but I did want to do something different with the concept of a King Cake. That is when it hit me- King Cake Cheesecake! Now Yes from research I am aware that Copeland of New Orleans has their own amazing King Cake Cheesecake creation but with all do respect I conjured up this idea all by myself and dare I say it is better than Copeland’s? Dare I?
Seeing as how a traditional King Cake has a cream cheese filling and/or hints of cinnamon baked throughout. I decided to do a cinnamon shortbread cookie crust with the cream cheese filling. Its like the best of both worlds. The filling COULD NOT BE EASIER (why make something hard if you don’t have to) and the cinnamon shortbread crust is ARE YOU READY? GLUTEN FREE! Yep, a mixture of fine brown rice flour, tapioca flour and potato starch not only does the trick but it is honestly BETTER than if I would have used the standard AP flour. I never thought I would hear myself say this next line but “If you don’t have the gluten free flours mentioned above GO GET THEM! Of course you could just use AP flour but do me a favor and JUST GO GET THEM! They are not that expensive and they truly make the most outstanding shortbread crust. The texture is perfect and stands up nicely against the heavy cream cheese filling and lasts for days without getting soggy or falling apart.
I knew I had a winner with this one when my husband said, “It really tastes just like a King Cake”. This King Cake Cheesecake is our new favorite way to celebrate Mardi Gras and I hope it will be a hit with your family as well. If you cant’ join the Mardi Gras festivities then by all means EAT LIKE YOU ARE THERE! XO
Ingredients
- Crust:
- *1 cup Brown Rice Flour Mix
- 1 tsp xanxan gum
- 6 TBSP butter, cubed
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Filling:
- 2 packages of cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup plus 2 TBSP sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs, room temp
- Icing:
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 6-8 TBSP milk
Instructions
this looks amazing!!! look at you coming up with these amaaaazing gluten free recipes! lady, you are awesome!
lindsay recently posted..mac lipstick giveaway!
Isn’t King Cake just one of the best sweet treats on earth? What a great idea to make a King Cake cheesecake! I so want to visit New Orleans someday too!
Hope you’re doing well, I’m sorry that I have been so absent for the last few months.
Roz recently posted..Twiced Baked Potatoes with Fontina Cheese
I am not familiar with king cheese cake and I am pretty sure I have not seen them in stores here. But it definitely look like a crown of the king.
Balvinder recently posted..Date Nut And Seed Squares
The is a beautiful and yummy looking king cake!
I’ve not heard of this type of cake before I saw your blog last year. The sparkles would surely be a draw for the kids. It’s great that you were able to create a version that your husband loved too!
Eva Taylor recently posted..Deviled Quail Eggs, a little hors d’œuvres
I have never heard of king cake till your post last year. Your cheesecake looks amazing- and gluten free too!! Very cleve.
daphne recently posted..Pork Jerky/Bak Kwa
OooLaLa this look amaze. NOw I will not have to go to Thurmans yum
That is so cute!
Not only does this cake sound delicious but looks so pretty as well!!
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking recently posted..Really Good Better For You Banana Bread
Jessica I remember that recipe of yours..
And this one looks equally delicious!.. I am loving the hue of the colors
Reem | Simply Reem recently posted..Barbecue Shrimp Tostada
So pretty – I love all kinds of cheesecake.
Mandy xo
Mandy – The Complete Cook Book recently posted..In My Kitchen – January February 2013
Impressive my friend! Now can you just come bake it for me?!
Simply gorgeous!
Simply gorgeous! Pinning this!
Asmita recently posted..Spinach with Yogurt-”Paalak Bhareet”
What a creative and beautiful cheesecake!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Red Lentil Stew with Tofu
This looks just like the original king cake. I LOVE IT. And it looks so darn delicious. Thanks for sharing this post
Hey girl! I have never heard of a king cake till now! Being an east coaster and now west coaster, I never got around to the traditions of the south. I love that you’re keeping up with fun traditions such as this and I’m sure your hubby is super happy as well. What a good little wife you are. I also love the color punch of your whole cheesecake. Aren’t you just a happy girl that you found a wonderful gluten-free treat and one that you actually prefer? Maybe your taste buds are telling you something. I do wish you lived a town over or down the street, so I could just stop on by for some afternoon cheesecake and tea. Wouldn’t that be the bomb?
Have a great day girl!
xoxo, Jackie
jackie @ marin mama cooks recently posted..hot quinoa and oat cereal with goji berries
You have a great flair for fun and delicious food! Let the celebration begin…
Melynda@OurSundayCafe recently posted..Tuesday through the lookingglass…..
Wow! This would go over even better than a traditional King’s Cake around here! What an excellent idea!!!
Liz recently posted..Focaccia…#TuesdayswithDorie
You are making me homesick! That looks fantastic!
Candace recently posted..August 2012 – My first time
How fun! I need to get on top of making something purple, yellow and green!
yummychunklet recently posted..TwD: Baking Foccacia with Julia
this looks awesome!! i think you can start selling your king cakes!!
lena recently posted..Polvorones for Chinese New Year
What a beautiful King cake Cheesecake! No wonder its now your family’s new favorite. I just visited New Orleans last year and loved it!!! I agree….I can’t be there for the celebration this year, but at least I can eat like I’m there.
Amy Tong recently posted..Lavender Bath Salts—Homemade Gift For Your Valentine
What a great cake and in the best of New Orleans traditions.
ChgoJohn recently posted..Gnocchi with Lemon, Spinach, and Burrata
This is absolutely a creative way to bring a new style of King Cake to the table. My hat is off to you!
Velva
Velva recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
This is just beautiful Jessica! Cheesecake is one of my all-time faves. I love that you adapted it for the festivities. I’m sure Copeland’s has nothing on you! The shortbread sounds to die for as well. Cinnamon shortbread! Yummmmm!!!!
Kristy recently posted..Bring It On – Chopped Challenge 2013
i love these posts each and every year…
and i have yet to work with ANY of those flours… MUST go and get them!!!!
Torrie @ a place to share… recently posted..Heartfelt.
I need to bake now! This whet my appetite to bake ! Ah, I’ve missed your site!
sara@domesticallychallenged recently posted..Haven’t had a Sara Rant Lately, have we?
You are so fabulous. King cake in cheesecake form??? BRILLIANT.
val recently posted..Valentine Muddy Buddies
So smart! I love this idea.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Chocolate, Coconut, Macadamia Nut Tart (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Vegan)
This is an absolutely GENIUS creation!!! So gorgeous! I’m going to NOLA in just a few weeks so if you have any restaurant recommendations, I’m all ears!
Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Sushi with Curry-Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Avocado, and Cardamom Millet Rice {eat.live.be}
Wow, this looks fantastic and sounds even better. You are making me so hungry at this early hour of 5am. I would love a little slice with coffee right about now.
Geni recently posted..Misrepresentations and My Espresso BROWNIES
King Cake Cheesecake? Oh my goodness, Jessica…that’s awesome! You’re truly so creative in the kitchen! Posts like this are what I missed during those months that I’ve been MIA in the blogosphere!
I WANT!
Never had king cake but I’d love to try this!!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious recently posted..Chocolate Espresso Goat Cheese Bar
[...] Original article found at: http://www.kitchenbelleicious.com/2013/02/04/king-cake-cheesecake/ [...]
So creative and so delicious and SO pretty!!! great use of ingredients – really lovely post!
Mary x
Mary recently posted..Nigella Lawson’s Snowy Day Chocolate Treats!
[...] Original article found at: http://www.kitchenbelleicious.com/2013/02/04/king-cake-cheesecake/ [...]
Love the festive twist on cheesecake….always a favorite for me.
Jed Gray (sportsglutton) recently posted..Thirsty Thursday: Grand Teton Brewing Co. Double Vision Doppelbock
Of course you had to reinvent the king cake. And this sounds like an amazing way to re-create it.
[...] Original article found at: http://www.kitchenbelleicious.com/2013/02/04/king-cake-cheesecake/ [...]
What a marvelous cake Jessica! This is so festive and I LOVE IT!!! My family goes crazy when they hear “cheesecake”. They will be thrilled to see this colorful cheesecake for sure! How fun!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Almond Cookies
So beautiful! This looks absolutely stunning and I bet it tastes incredible.
I love your fabulous version of the traditional King Cake. I am so happy you are loving gluten free. I knew you would kill it! XOXO
Donna @ The Slow Roasted Italian recently posted..Broccoli Cheese Soup with Chicken and Rice in Just 25 Minutes
Oh my, I’m such a sucker for cheesecake. I have never eaten King Cake, can you believe it? I’ll have to whip together this beauty.