Description
This Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake recipe offers a quick and festive twist on the traditional Louisiana treat. Using canned jumbo cinnamon rolls and a cream cheese-enhanced icing, this cake is easy to assemble and bake in under an hour, making it perfect for last-minute celebrations. Decorated with vibrant purple, yellow, and green sugar crystals, it brings the spirit and colors of Mardi Gras to your table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 2 (17.5-ounce) cans jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing (each tube contains 5 rolls)
For the Icing:
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Icing from the 2 cinnamon roll tubes
- Sugar crystals in purple, yellow, and green for decoration
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a Bundt or tube pan with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Arrange Cinnamon Rolls: Open the cinnamon roll tubes and carefully remove the icing packets, setting them aside for later use. Place the cinnamon rolls into the bottom of the prepared pan, squeezing them in tightly to form a ring.
- Bake the Cake: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25 to 30 minutes or until the dough is fully cooked and the rolls are no longer gooey in the center.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool slightly. Then, carefully invert the pan onto a platter to release the cake and allow it to cool completely before icing.
- Prepare the Icing: While the cake cools, mix together the two packets of cinnamon roll icing with 2 ounces of softened cream cheese until smooth and well combined.
- Decorate the King Cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the cream cheese icing evenly over the top. Decorate the icing with alternating bands of purple, yellow, and green sugar crystals to capture the festive Mardi Gras colors.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the icing.
- You can substitute colored sugar crystals with colored sanding sugar or sprinkles if preferred.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before icing to prevent the icing from melting.
- Use a Bundt or tube pan to create the traditional King Cake ring shape.
- This recipe serves 8, making it ideal for small gatherings or parties.
