Short Description
Cinnamon Roll King Cake is a delicious twist on the traditional Mardi Gras dessert, made with soft cinnamon roll dough, a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling, and topped with a festive glaze and colorful sprinkles. This easy-to-make version delivers the same flavors as the classic New Orleans treat but with a simplified method—perfect for celebrating Fat Tuesday or any special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy shortcut using cinnamon roll dough (or homemade dough)
- Deliciously soft and fluffy with a gooey cinnamon filling
- Perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations
- Topped with a sweet glaze and festive sprinkles
- Can be made ahead of time
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough (Shortcut Option):
- Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (store-bought, with icing)
For Homemade Dough (If Making from Scratch):
- All-purpose flour
- Active dry yeast
- Warm milk
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Sugar
- Egg
- Salt
For the Filling:
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk or heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Green, yellow, and purple sanding sugar or sprinkles
- Plastic baby figurine (optional, for tradition)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Shortcut Method:
- Open the refrigerated cinnamon roll dough and arrange the rolls in a circular shape on a baking sheet, slightly overlapping to form a ring.
Homemade Dough Method:
- Mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, egg, and salt. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 5–7 minutes, then cover and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Roll out into a rectangle and spread softened butter over the surface.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the dough.
- Roll into a log and shape into a ring on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Bake the King Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25–30 minutes (or as directed for store-bought dough) until golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before glazing.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Drizzle over the warm cake.
Step 4: Decorate and Serve
- Sprinkle green, yellow, and purple sugar over the glaze in sections.
- If following tradition, insert a plastic baby figurine into the cake.
- Slice and serve warm!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8–10
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Rise Time (for homemade dough): 1 hour
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (with store-bought dough)
Variations
- Cream Cheese Filling: Spread softened cream cheese before adding cinnamon sugar.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans to the filling.
- Chocolate Twist: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips inside.
- Maple Glaze: Replace vanilla with maple extract in the glaze.
- Boozy Version: Add a splash of bourbon to the glaze for extra flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
- Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.
FAQs
What is a King Cake?
A King Cake is a traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras cake, often filled with cinnamon sugar and decorated with green, yellow, and purple icing.
Why do people put a plastic baby in King Cake?
The plastic baby symbolizes luck and prosperity; whoever finds it must provide the next King Cake!
Can I make this in advance?
Yes! Bake the cake ahead of time and glaze it just before serving.
Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! Just shape them into a ring before baking.
What if I don’t have sanding sugar?
Use colored sprinkles or mix sugar with food coloring.
Can I add a filling?
Yes! Try cream cheese, fruit preserves, or Nutella.
What can I serve with King Cake?
It pairs well with coffee, hot chocolate, or a festive cocktail.
Can I use puff pastry instead?
Yes, but it will have a flakier texture instead of a soft, bread-like consistency.
How do I prevent the glaze from melting too much?
Let the cake cool slightly before drizzling the glaze.
Is this cake overly sweet?
No! The balance of cinnamon, glaze, and soft dough makes it just right.
Conclusion
Cinnamon Roll King Cake is an easy and festive way to celebrate Mardi Gras or enjoy a delicious cinnamon treat any time of year. Whether using store-bought dough for convenience or homemade dough for a classic touch, this sweet and spiced cake is sure to impress. Serve it warm, share with friends, and let the good times roll!
PrintCinnamon Roll King Cake
This Cinnamon Roll King Cake is a fun and easy twist on the traditional Mardi Gras dessert! Made with soft, fluffy cinnamon roll dough, swirled with a buttery cinnamon filling, and topped with a sweet glaze and colorful sugar, this festive treat is perfect for celebrating!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: New Orleans, Mardi Gras
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 egg
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Purple, green, and gold colored sugar (or sprinkles)
- 1 small plastic baby (optional, for tradition!)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, melted butter, vanilla, and egg.
- Pour in the yeast mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms (8-10 minutes).
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Cinnamon Filling
- Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a smooth paste.
3. Roll & Shape the King Cake
- Roll out the dough into a 10×20-inch rectangle.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll it up lengthwise into a log, then shape it into a circle or oval on a baking sheet.
- Pinch the ends together to seal. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
4. Bake the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool completely before glazing.
5. Glaze & Decorate
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.
- Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar for the classic King Cake look.
- Hide a small plastic baby inside (optional, for tradition!).
Notes
- Shortcut Version: Use store-bought cinnamon roll dough and shape it into a ring.
- Want more flavor? Add cream cheese to the filling for a creamy twist!
- Storing: Keep covered at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.