Easy Cinnamon Roll King Cake for Mardi Gras Recipe

Introduction

This easy King Cake recipe offers a fun and simple twist on the traditional Mardi Gras treat using cinnamon rolls. Vibrant with purple, green, and gold frosting, it’s perfect for celebrating with family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 tubes (17.5 oz each) jumbo cinnamon rolls
• 1 tub (16 oz) white frosting
• Wilton leaf green, golden yellow, and violet color gels
• Optional: small baby doll figurine for the King Cake tradition

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Step 2: Press the cinnamon rolls firmly into the bundt pan, squeezing them together and flattening them as evenly as possible to form a solid ring.
3. Step 3: If using, place a small baby doll figurine into the batter, hiding it inside the cake carefully.
4. Step 4: Bake the cinnamon roll cake for 30–35 minutes or until it turns golden brown. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
5. Step 5: Invert the bundt pan onto a flat surface and allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
6. Step 6: Divide the white frosting evenly into three bowls. Add green, yellow, and violet color gels to each bowl and mix thoroughly to tint the frosting.
7. Step 7: Place each colored frosting into separate resealable bags, heat in the microwave for 15 seconds, then knead and snip a small corner of each bag for drizzling.
8. Step 8: Drizzle the colorful frostings onto the cooled cake. Reheat the bags if the frosting thickens while decorating.
9. Step 9: Let the frosting set before slicing and serving. This recipe serves 8–10 guests.

Tips & Variations

• Use a plastic baby figurine specifically made for King Cakes to keep it safe and traditional.
• If you can’t find all three color gels, substitute with food coloring or colored sugar sprinkles in Mardi Gras colors.
• For added flavor, brush melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the cinnamon rolls before baking.
• Serve with coffee or sweet tea for a festive breakfast or dessert pairing.

Storage

Store leftover King Cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to soften before serving. To keep the frosting fresh, avoid sealing the cake immediately with plastic wrap.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake the plastic baby inside the cake?

Yes, it’s traditional and safe to bake the plastic baby figurine inside the cake. Just make sure to warn guests to watch for it when slicing.

When should I eat King Cake?

King Cake is traditionally enjoyed starting on January 6th (Epiphany or Twelfth Night) through Mardi Gras. However, you can enjoy this cinnamon roll version anytime you want a festive treat!

Easy Cinnamon Roll King Cake for Mardi Gras Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.5 from 90 reviews

• Author: Lila
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This easy King Cake recipe is a festive and fun twist on the traditional Mardi Gras treat, featuring jumbo cinnamon rolls baked in a bundt pan to form a colorful cinnamon roll wreath. Decorated with vibrant green, yellow, and purple frosting to match the iconic Mardi Gras colors, this recipe is quick to assemble and perfect for celebrating with family and friends. The cake includes the tradition of hiding a small baby figurine inside, symbolizing luck and prosperity for the finder.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

King Cake Base

• 2 tubes (17.5 oz each) jumbo cinnamon rolls

Frosting and Decorations

• 1 tub (16 oz) white frosting
• Wilton Leaf Green color gel
• Wilton Golden Yellow color gel
• Wilton Violet color gel

Optional

• Small baby doll figurine
• Nonstick cooking spray

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the cake releases smoothly after baking.
2. Arrange Cinnamon Rolls: Press the jumbo cinnamon rolls into the bundt pan, squeezing them together to prevent gaps as they will naturally want to rise and pop up. Use your palms to flatten and level the rolls evenly inside the pan.
3. Add the King Cake Baby: At this point, place a small baby doll figurine inside the cake by pressing it gently into the dough, somewhere between the rolls but concealed within the cake.
4. Bake the King Cake: Place the bundt pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the cake is golden brown on top. After baking, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
5. Cool and Invert: After the initial cooling, invert the bundt pan onto a flat surface to release the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
6. Prepare Colored Frostings: Divide the white frosting evenly into three separate bowls. Add the green, yellow, and violet color gels to each bowl respectively, mixing until you achieve vibrant colors.
7. Warm Frosting: Place each bowl’s frosting into a resealable plastic bag, do not seal them yet. Microwave all three bags for 15 seconds to soften the frosting. Remove from microwave, seal the bags, knead them to smooth the frosting, and snip a small tip off each bag to create piping bags.
8. Decorate the Cake: Drizzle the colored frostings over the cooled cake, alternating colors to showcase the traditional Mardi Gras green, yellow (gold), and purple. If frosting thickens while decorating, reheat slightly as needed.
9. Set and Serve: Allow the frosting to set and thicken slightly before slicing and serving your festive cinnamon roll King Cake. Enjoy with 8-10 guests.

Notes

• The baby figurine symbolizes luck and prosperity for the person who finds it in their slice, but they also traditionally host the next year’s King Cake.
• If you don’t have colored gels, food coloring can be substituted but gels provide more vibrant colors.
• This recipe uses premade cinnamon rolls for convenience but you can experiment with homemade dough for a more traditional approach.
• Ensure the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of icing.
• Use a bundt pan for the perfect crown-shaped King Cake wreath.
• Celebrate Mardi Gras colors by adding matching beads or masks as table decor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern, Cajun

Keywords: King Cake, Mardi Gras, Cinnamon Roll King Cake, Easy King Cake, Mardi Gras Dessert, Cinnamon Rolls, Festive Cake