# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2/3 cup whole milk, lukewarm
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
→ Cinnamon Filling
09 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
10 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
→ Cream Cheese Filling
12 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Glaze and Decoration
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
17 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars for decoration
18 - Plastic King Cake baby or almond, optional
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
02 - Whisk together lukewarm milk, eggs, and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
03 - Beat in softened butter until dough is smooth and elastic, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
05 - Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in softened butter until fully combined.
06 - Beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth.
07 - Punch down risen dough. Roll out on a floured surface into a 16 by 12 inch rectangle.
08 - Spread cream cheese filling over dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Spread cinnamon filling evenly on top.
09 - Starting from the long side, roll dough tightly into a log.
10 - Slice the log lengthwise in half. Twist the two strands together, keeping cut sides up, and form into a loaf shape.
11 - Place twisted loaf into a greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise until puffy, approximately 45 minutes.
12 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
13 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. If browning too quickly, tent with aluminum foil.
14 - Cool loaf in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
15 - Whisk powdered sugar with milk to make a thick glaze. Drizzle over cooled loaf.
16 - Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars. Insert King Cake baby or almond if desired before serving.
