My King Cake Pull-Apart Bread is quick and easy! It features a pull-apart twist and yummy cream cheese icing on top. Great for breakfast and dessert!
If it’s Mardi Gras season where you are, then that can only mean one thing… it’s time to bake up a King Cake! I love these decadent and fun cakes so much that over the years I have made many different kinds.
I like to take the original idea of this Mardi Gras tradition and mix it up a bit to make fun new variations. And, this King Cake Pull-Apart Bread is no exception. Think of this as monkey bread meets King Cake!
Over the years, my other pull-apart breads have been so popular, like my Salted Caramel Bacon Monkey Bread and my Pizza Pull-Apart Bread. So of course, I couldn’t resist the temptation to take a King Cake and make a pull-apart version!
This simple recipe is actually an amazing breakfast as well as dessert. And while most modern King Cakes have fillings (cream cheese is my favorite) I just did a cream cheese glaze over the top to keep it easy but still have that great flavor.
What is King Cake Pull-Apart Bread?
King Cake Pull-Apart Bread is basically a King Cake monkey bread, bringing a tasty twist to your breakfast or dessert table. Unlike the traditional King Cake, this one has its filling proudly displayed on top as an icing, making each bite a sweet sensation. So, whether you’re starting your day on a sweet note or wrapping up a meal, this King Cake Pull-Apart Bread is here to jazz up your taste buds and enhance your Mardi Gras celebration.
What is King Cake and why is it eaten?
King cake, a scrumptious sweet treat, becomes the main food event during Mardi Gras. Traditionally the King Cake is a cinnamon sugar filled dough twisted into a delightful ring that is topped with vibrant purple, green, and gold decorating sugars. It’s a festive treat that kicks off lively celebrations before the arrival of Lent. Here are a few more details about the King Cake that you might find interesting:
History of the King Cake
The king cake goes all the way back to medieval Europe when the people of that time would bake up the cake in celebration of the Epiphany, which represents the arrival of the Three Wise Men to meet baby Jesus. Over time the tradition landed in the United States, specifically New Orleans, Louisiana, where it became tied into the Mardi Gras celebration. While no one is certain how those two got joined together, it is what it is and frankly, I’m here for it because Mardi Gras is all about food and tradition, two things I absolutely love. Now to add a little excitement, bakers began sneaking in hidden trinkets or figurines into the cake, usually a baby figurine. Thus began the fun anticipation of who got the plastic baby in their slice of cake.
The Mardi Gras Colors of the King Cake
The fun colors on the King Cake—purple, green, and gold—aren’t just for eye candy. Those memorable colors each represent something. Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. These three values are supposed to widely represent the meaning behind the Mardi Gras season. So, as you savor each sweet bite, you’re also soaking in a reminder of these honorable values.
The Significance of the Small Plastic Baby
In most King Cakes you will find a tiny plastic baby hidden inside. The baby is said to symbolize the Three Wise Men’s journey to see baby Jesus. Find the baby in your slice, and you’re the honorary “king” or “queen” of the celebration. Some even say, finding the baby in your slice means you are the next host or baker of the King Cake. How fun!
Other King Cake Recipes:
I have made many variations of the King Cake in my day. Some are super simplified, like this King Cake Pull-Apart Bread. And, others stick to the traditional nature of the original recipe. All are absolutely delicious if you ask me. Try them out, and let me know in the comment section below which one you like the best:
- Mardi Gras King Cake – This particular King Cake recipe is all about tradition. It’s not the quickest or easiest version, but it’s definitely the closest to the traditional King Cake that has been eaten for generations. While it does take a bit more time, especially to whip up the cinnamon sugar dough, this recipe is absolutely decadent and filled with Mardi Gras pomp and circumstance. Enjoy!
- Quick and Easy Mardi Gras King Cake – Probably the easiest of my King Cake recipes is this Quick and Easy Mardi Gras King Cake. In this recipe, I provide you with several shortcuts that make achieving the King Cake experience easy without sacrificing flavor. Just because it’s simple and features pre-made cinnamon rolls, doesn’t mean it isn’t just as delicious. This is a great option for beginner cooks or anyone who wants to experience the King Cake flavors but doesn’t want to spend much time in the kitchen. Easy and delicious!
Recipe Card
King Cake Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 2 (16.3-ounce) cans flaky layers refrigerated biscuits
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk ((but heavy cream sure does taste better))
- purple, green, and yellow decorating sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and spray a Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Open the biscuits and separate them. Cut each biscuit into quarters.
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a gallon size zip-top bag and add the biscuits. Seal the bag and toss to coat the biscuit pieces. Place the coated biscuit pieces in the prepared pan evenly.In a small bowl, combined the melted butter with the remaining sugar and cinnamon mixture left in the ziptop bag. Mix well and pour over the biscuit pieces.Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then invert over a serving dish and allow to cool some.
- To make the icing, place the cream cheese in a microwave safe dish and microwave it for 15 to 20 seconds or until nearly melted. Combine the powdered sugar and heavy cream (or milk if you don’t have heavy cream) with the melted cream cheese. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar if it’s too thin or a drop or two of milk if it’s too thick. Drizzle the icing over the partially cooled bread and then decorate with the colored sugar. Serve warm.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Susan
I used Pillsbury Grands Honey Butter Biscuits… 😋 My hubby loved it…
It looks perfect!! So glad he enjoyed it!
Joanne
I never comment on things but had to with this! I just made this recipe but halved it since I only had one can of biscuits! My house smells incredible and it tastes AMAZING! Kids are begging for more! Will definitely make this again!! Thank you!
Awesome! I’m so glad it turned out great for you and that everyone enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Aimee
I was looking for a fast and easy king cake and came across this recipe. This was amazing! My family went crazy over it! Thank you for the recipe, I will definitely be making it again.
So glad y’all enjoyed it, Aimee!!
Samantha
Hi Stacey. I just made this cake and it’s delicious! Plus, it was so quick and easy which is great because I’m not much of a baker. I actually bought my first ever bundt pan last week just so I could try this recipe.
By the way, I skipped the sprinkles and the baby. I used half and half for the icing and it came out good. Also, in case anyone is interested, for the sugar I used half a cup sugar and a half a cup Splenda and we think it came out great.
Thanks again, Stacey. I will definitely be making this one often!
Wonderful! So glad to hear that it turned out great for you! And thanks or the tips!
Teri Giese
Love your version of Kings Cake! Wish I had thought of it! To the lovely lady goingto New Orleans,biegnets!!!Soft, pillows of yumminess! Probably spelled that wrong, but have a Pinterest board of foods for Mardi’s Gras,and had them 1 time, no clue what they were. With a friend that had lived there, she was so shocked that I was eating one, in Green Bay, Wisconsin!Never could find them again. Ugghh! So gotta make them myself, is SO worth it!! Thanks again!!
I absolutely love beignets!
Teri Giese
Love your version of Kings Cake! Wish I had thought of it! To the lovely holiday adding to New Orleans,biegnets!!!Soft, pillows of yumminess! Probably spelled that wrong, but have a Pinterest board of foods for Mardi’s Gras,and had them 1 time, no clue what they were. With a friend that had lived there, she was so shocked that I was eating one, in Green Bay, Wisconsin!Never could find them again. Ugghh! So gotta make them myself, is SO worth it!! Thanks again!!
Norma
I’ve never had a king cake of any type, but flying into New Orleans next week. I may have to try one. This version sounds delicious though!!
You absolutely should! So much great food there!
Kari
I like that you used canned biscuits. Makes the dish totally more doable!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Yes! They are such a great shortcut!