Hey folks! The first of the Mardi Gras parades have begun and carnival season is upon us. A few weeks back I posted a recipe for a Mardi Gras King Cake that was a little more traditional and quite a bit more involved. This one, though, is super easy and will allow you to put some Mardi Gras color on your table in no time.
Using prepackaged cinnamon rolls, this recipe isn’t quite as authentic, but it does the trick and tastes great! It’s great for a fun breakfast too.
I truly love Mardi Gras. There’s just something about folks going crazy over some cheap plastic trinkets that gets me excited. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about bearing any body parts for beads. I’m talking about the more family friendly version of Mardi Gras you’ll see in Mobile or at some of the smaller local parades.
We participated last weekend in the parade here in our hometown of Prattville. It’s a relatively new parade that’s only been going on for a few years, but we always find a way to be in it. Folks lined the streets decked out in their Mardi Gras attire with signs, nets, and lawn chairs. We had a blast! One reveler even snapped a few shots of me going by on the parade route and was kind enough to email them to me. Thanks, Jason!
I don’t look happy, but I promise I was having a blast! I guess I was focusing intently on getting the beads to the kiddies. (Just so you know – If you’re ever on my parade route, I’m a sucker for toddlers, old folks, and dogs. They always get the most beads from me!)
Y’all enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 – 17.5 cans of jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing (each tube had 5 rolls)
- 2 oz cream cheese
- sugar crystals in purple, gold, and green
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a Bundt or tube pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pop open the cinnamon roll tubes and remove the icing. Then line the bottom with the rolls. You may have to squeeze them in there.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are no longer gooey.
- Turn out onto platter to cool.
- In the meantime, mix the two icing packets with 2 ounces of softened cream cheese.
- Once the cake is cool, spread the icing and decorate with alternating sugar colors.
Looking for something different? Try these out…
Mardi Gras King Cake
King Cake Pull Apart Bread
Quick and Easy Mardi Gras King Cake
Ingredients
- 2 (17.5-ounce) cans of jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing (each tube has 5 rolls)
- 2 oz cream cheese
- sugar crystals in purple, yellow, and green
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a Bundt or tube pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pop open the cinnamon roll tubes and remove the icing. Then line the bottom with the rolls. You may have to squeeze them in there.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are no longer gooey.
- Turn out onto platter to cool.
- In the meantime, mix the two icing packets with 2 ounces of softened cream cheese.
- Once the cake is cool, spread the icing and decorate with alternating sugar colors.
Margie says
WOW! You’re the King of Mardi Gras King Cakes.
This is the best I have ever found.
Thank you for sharing.
Andrew says
SUPER EASY!!! I love this recipe and even though I don’t like cinnamon I am sure to try this!
franklin southern food says
The food look delicious. Will you share the ingredients and where can we buy them?
suicide_blond says
ok sooo I’m a bit of a newbie in the kitchen (oh Lordy) but when/ how do you add the baby?
THANK YOU!!
xo
Meghan says
I’d just cut a hole somewhere after it’s cool, insert the baby, and then cover that spot back up with extra icing and sugar crystals.
Gerri Barron says
Your cookbook arrived Friday…but before that I had stumbled upon your site and found this recipe….going to give it a try for tomorrow nites “girl” get together. We love to try different foods from around. Some of us that meet at this once a month gathering are transplant from the north, retired military, and good ole southern ladies (GA peach here). Can’t wait to tell them all about your site and cookbook.
Stacey says
Hi Gerri! Thanks so much for your support and for sharing the word! Y’all enjoy!
Elaine says
I can’t wait to try this beautiful King Cake, but what about the baby Jesus…..isn’t He supposed to be hidden in the cake?
Stacey says
It is tradition to have a baby in the cake. Feel free to stick one int here somewhere before you add the glaze. 🙂
Daryle in VT says
A few years ago I bought a package of 500 King Cake “babies.” I really like this easy King Cake recipe … it should help to crank out King Cakes as fast as possible. I only need 423 more.
Stacey says
LOL! Good luck, Daryle! That’s a lot of babies! 🙂
Nancy Snyder says
could you send me one? I forgot to get some and I’m making King Cakes today, lol.
Donna says
Can’t this be made a day in advance?
Virginia Weld says
I ordered a bunch of babies from Amazon but I’m making 2 king cakes without babies and when they get here Tuesday I’ll start making then with the babies. Lol! I can’t wait to use this fun simple recipe! Love you guys! -Gin
Stacey says
Thank, Gin! Have fun!
ANNE L CUVELLIER says
Easy to make. I suggest pressing the rolls into the pan because my cake had spots it was coming apart even though I thought I had pressed it together enough. HIGHLY recommend the addition of the cream cheese to the can prepared frosting….really good and really fast to make. Put the baby in after the cake was completely cooled….Fun too!
Stacey says
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
JulsB says
Super fun and easy for kids after school program–Love your easy and delicious recipes 🙂
Thanks Stacey!
Stacey says
Thanks, Juls!