Dessert

Easy Cinnamon Roll King Cake for Mardi Gras Recipe

ByJulian Dempsey February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Introduction

This easy King Cake recipe is a fun and simple twist on the traditional Mardi Gras treat, featuring cinnamon rolls for a quick and tasty dessert. Brightly decorated in the classic purple, green, and gold, it’s perfect for sharing with family and friends during the festivities.

A close-up of a slice of a round cake with swirled brown cinnamon layers inside and a soft yellow base. The cake has thick icing drizzled over the top in three colors: bright green, purple, and yellow, arranged in uneven lines. The slice sits on a simple white plate with a small plastic baby figurine near its base, which is a traditional part of this dessert. In the background, the rest of the cake on a white cake stand is visible, decorated with the same colorful icing lines. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface with some colorful beads blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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
Nonstick cooking spray (for greasing the pan)
Optional: small baby doll figurine for tradition

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Press the cinnamon rolls into the bundt pan, squeezing them together to fill the pan evenly and flatten with your palms as needed.
Step 3: If using, place a small baby doll figurine inside the cake by gently pressing it into the cinnamon rolls.
Step 4: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a flat surface and cool completely before frosting.
Step 5: Divide the white frosting into three bowls. Color each portion with one of the color gels: green, yellow, and violet.
Step 6: Place each colored frosting into a separate resealable bag without sealing. Microwave all three bags together for 15 seconds to soften the frosting, then seal, knead, and snip a small hole in each tip.
Step 7: Drizzle the colored frostings over the cooled cake in stripes or patterns. Reheat frosting bags briefly if they thicken while decorating.
Step 8: Allow the frosting to set before slicing and serving. This cake serves 8-10 guests.

Tips & Variations

To add more authentic Mardi Gras flair, top the cake with colorful beads or sprinkles in purple, green, and gold.
If you prefer, replace the cinnamon rolls with another sweet roll, but cinnamon adds the classic flavor.
Use cream cheese frosting instead of plain white frosting for a richer taste.
Make sure to warn guests about the hidden baby figurine to avoid any choking hazards.

Storage

Store any leftover King Cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator covered tightly and bring to room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in the microwave to soften the cinnamon rolls if desired.

How to Serve

A thick slice of a ring-shaped cake sits on a white plate, showing 2 layers of soft, swirled cinnamon bread with green flecks inside. The top of the slice is dripping with colorful icing in three colors: bright purple, green, and yellow, applied in thin, wavy lines that cover the entire top and slightly drip down the sides. A small plastic baby figurine is placed near the slice on the plate. In the background, the remaining large round cake with the same icing colors is on a white round tray with cut-out patterns, all set on a white marbled surface with strands of purple, green, and gold Mardi Gras beads scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake the plastic baby inside the cake?

Yes, it’s safe to bake the plastic baby inside the King Cake. This is part of the tradition and adds fun to the celebration. Just be sure to warn guests who find it to watch out while eating.

What is the significance of the colors on the King Cake?

The traditional Mardi Gras colors each have a meaning: purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold symbolizes power. Decorating your King Cake in these colors keeps the festive spirit alive.

Easy Cinnamon Roll King Cake for Mardi Gras Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 136 reviews

Author: Julian
Total Time: 50-55 minutes
Yield: 8–10 servings 1x

Description

This Easy King Cake Recipe is a fun and colorful twist on the traditional Mardi Gras king cake, using jumbo cinnamon rolls baked in a bundt pan and decorated with vibrant purple, green, and gold frosting. Perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras with minimal effort, this cinnamon roll king cake combines the classic flavors of cinnamon and vanilla with a festive presentation that kids and adults will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

2 tubes (17.5 oz each) jumbo cinnamon rolls
1 tub (16 oz) white frosting
Wilton Leaf Green food color gel
Wilton Golden Yellow food color gel
Wilton Violet food color gel
Nonstick cooking spray (for bundt pan)
Optional: small plastic baby doll figurine (for hidden tradition)

Instructions

Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
Arrange cinnamon rolls: Press the jumbo cinnamon rolls firmly into the bundt pan, squeezing them together so they form an even, level layer. You may need to flatten and press them down with your palms to keep them compact and level.
Add the baby figurine: If using, carefully place the small plastic baby doll figurine somewhere inside the cake between the cinnamon rolls for the traditional King Cake surprise.
Bake the cake: Bake the cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the cake is golden brown. Once baked, remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Invert and cool completely: After initial cooling, carefully invert the bundt pan onto a flat plate or surface to release the cinnamon roll cake. Allow it to cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the colored frosting: Divide the white frosting evenly into three separate bowls. Add green, yellow, and violet color gels to each bowl respectively, mixing until colors are vibrant and consistent.
Warm and prepare frosting bags: Transfer each colored frosting into resealable plastic bags, leaving the bags unsealed initially. Microwave all three bags together for 15 seconds to soften the frosting. Afterwards, seal each bag and knead thoroughly, then snip small tips off the corners for drizzling.
Decorate the cake: Drizzle the three colors of frosting over the cooled cinnamon roll king cake in colorful stripes or patterns representing the Mardi Gras theme. If the frosting thickens, reheat briefly before continuing.
Set and serve: Allow the frosting to set and thicken on the cake. Once set, slice, serve, and enjoy this festive treat with your guests!

Notes

This recipe serves 8-10 guests.
The hidden baby figurine tradition symbolizes luck and the obligation to bring next year’s cake to the celebration.
You can find small plastic baby dolls specifically designed for king cakes at party supply stores or online.
Make sure to grease the bundt pan well to avoid sticking when inverting the cake.
For a stronger flavor, consider adding vanilla extract or cream cheese filling, though this version keeps it simple and quick.
Use food-safe color gels to achieve vibrant Mardi Gras colors that hold well on frosting.
If the frosting thickens too much after sitting, gently warm it before using to keep it drizzle-friendly.
Decorate with Mardi Gras beads or masks for an extra festive look when serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

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

Julian Dempsey

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