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
