If you’ve ever craved the festive flavors and vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras but felt overwhelmed by the traditional baking process, this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe is crafted just for you. It captures all the joy and color of the classic King Cake with minimal effort, perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying a slice of celebration any day of the year. This easy recipe takes store-bought cinnamon rolls and transforms them into a beloved Mardi Gras treat that’s irresistibly sweet, colorful, and oh-so-festive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe is in its simplicity. With just a few essential ingredients, you get that signature combination of soft, cinnamony dough and creamy icing, topped with vibrant sugar crystals that bring the Mardi Gras colors to life. Each component works harmoniously to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive appeal.
- 2 (17.5-ounce) cans jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing: The foundation of the cake, these rolls provide soft, fluffy layers full of cinnamon goodness.
- 2 ounces cream cheese: Adds richness and tanginess, helping to mellow the sweetness of the icing while making it luxuriously smooth.
- Sugar crystals in purple, yellow, and green: Classic Mardi Gras colors that bring sparkle, crunch, and vibrant tradition to your cake’s finish.
How to Make Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and giving your Bundt or tube pan a generous spray with non-stick cooking spray. This ensures the King Cake will release easily once baked, keeping that gorgeous shape intact which is so iconic for King Cake.
Step 2: Arrange the Cinnamon Rolls
Open those cans of cinnamon rolls and carefully remove each roll from the icing that comes in a separate packet. Press the rolls snugly around the pan’s base and sides; it might take a little gentle squeezing to fit them all in, but that’s part of the fun! This creates the signature ring that mimics the traditional King Cake’s shape.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden and Cooked Through
Pop your cinnamon roll ring into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for the gooey dough to turn into a soft, golden cake—no sticky or raw spots. The aroma alone will let you know it’s time to take it out.
Step 4: Cool and Prepare the Cream Cheese Icing
Once your King Cake is baked to perfection, carefully invert it onto a serving platter and let it cool down, so the icing doesn’t melt into a puddle. While it cools, mix the cinnamon rolls’ icing packets with the softened cream cheese. This combination elevates the icing, making it richer and creamier while still delightfully sweet.
Step 5: Ice and Decorate with Mardi Gras Colors
Spread your luscious cream cheese icing evenly over the cooled cake. The final step is what truly brings this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe alive: sprinkle the purple, yellow, and green sugar crystals in alternating bands or as creatively as you like. The colorful crunch on top is quintessentially Mardi Gras.
How to Serve Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To make your presentation extra special, consider adding a few festive touches like edible gold glitter, or even little Mardi Gras-themed toppers such as tiny masks or beads nestled atop the sugar crystals. These playful accents make the cake even more engaging and appropriate for celebrations.
Side Dishes
This Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe pairs wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or rich hot chocolate. For brunch or party gatherings, complement with fresh fruit platters or a light yogurt parfait to balance the cake’s sweet richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform your King Cake into center stage by placing it on a brightly colored platter or cake stand that matches the Mardi Gras theme. You could also serve individual slices in mini decorative baskets or boxes for guests to take home—a wonderful way to spread the Mardi Gras spirit beyond the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the cake soft and moist without drying it out, so you can enjoy it fresh even the next day.
Freezing
If you want to save your King Cake for later celebrations, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place it in the freezer. It will keep well for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked warmth and softness after storage, simply warm slices briefly in a microwave—about 15 seconds per slice—or pop the whole cake in a preheated 300°F oven for 10 minutes. This little trick makes the cream cheese icing slightly melty and irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use regular cinnamon rolls instead of jumbo?
While jumbo rolls are preferred to get the classic King Cake size and shape, regular cinnamon rolls can work in a pinch. Just expect a smaller cake or use more rolls to fill your pan adequately.
Do I need to use a Bundt pan for this recipe?
A Bundt or tube pan helps create the traditional ring shape of the King Cake, but if you don’t have one, you can use a round cake pan and cut a hole in the center after baking, though it won’t be the same iconic look.
Is it necessary to mix cream cheese with the icing?
The cream cheese adds a wonderful tang and creaminess that balances the sweetness in the shortcut icing, making it taste more homemade and special.
Can the sugar crystals be substituted?
For authentic Mardi Gras style, stick with purple, green, and yellow—each color represents something special. But if you want a different look, rainbow sugars or colored sprinkles work well too.
How long does the Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe take from start to finish?
This entire delightful process takes about 45 minutes, including baking and icing, making it an impressively quick way to enjoy a traditional Mardi Gras treat.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe enough if you want to bring some festive fun to your table without hours in the kitchen. It’s delightfully easy, utterly delicious, and bursting with that spirited Mardi Gras charm. Whether you’re celebrating Fat Tuesday or just want a tasty cinnamon treat with a colorful twist, this King Cake will become your new go-to. Give it a try and watch smiles light up around your table!
Print
Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Description
This Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake is a quick and festive twist on the traditional New Orleans dessert, made easily using canned cinnamon rolls. It’s a delightful, sweet treat perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras, featuring a creamy cream cheese frosting and colorful sugar crystals in the iconic purple, yellow, and green.
Ingredients
King Cake
- 2 (17.5-ounce) cans jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing (each tube has 5 rolls)
Frosting & Decoration
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Pre-packaged icing from cinnamon roll tubes
- Sugar crystals in purple, yellow, and green for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a Bundt or tube pan thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Cinnamon Rolls: Open the cinnamon roll tubes and carefully remove the icing packets, setting them aside. Place and slightly press all the cinnamon rolls into the bottom of the prepared pan, fitting them snugly side by side.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the cinnamon rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and no longer gooey in the center.
- Cool and Remove: Remove the pan from the oven and let the cinnamon roll cake cool slightly before carefully turning it out onto a serving platter to cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Frosting: In a small bowl, combine the two packets of icing with the softened 2 ounces of cream cheese, mixing until smooth and well incorporated.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the cake is fully cool, spread the cream cheese icing evenly over the surface. Decorate the top by sprinkling alternating stripes of purple, yellow, and green sugar crystals to recreate the festive Mardi Gras colors.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
- The sugar crystals are traditional Mardi Gras colors symbolizing justice (purple), power (gold), and faith (green).
- If you prefer, you can add a small plastic baby figurine inside the cake before baking as per tradition.
- Use a Bundt or tube pan to get the characteristic ring shape of a King Cake.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of icing or sugar crystals.
