If you’re craving the festive flavors and vibrant colors of a classic King Cake but want to skip the long baking time and complicated dough, you’re going to adore this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe. It brilliantly captures the spirit of Mardi Gras with its sweet cinnamon rolls, luscious cream cheese glaze, and colorful sugar crystals that bring that joyful celebration straight to your kitchen without any fuss. Whether you’re marking Fat Tuesday or just love indulging in something warm and cinnamon-spiced, this recipe is a game changer for convenience and flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each item plays a key role – from the fluffy cinnamon rolls providing the base to the cream cheese adding richness to the icing, and the iconic purple, yellow, and green sugar crystals that give it that unmistakable Mardi Gras flair.
- 2 (17.5-ounce) cans jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing: Using pre-made cinnamon rolls saves time while keeping that warm, gooey texture you want in every bite.
- 2 ounces cream cheese: Softened to blend perfectly with the icing for a creamy, tangy glaze that balances the sweetness.
- Sugar crystals in purple, yellow, and green: The classic Mardi Gras colors that transform the cake into a festive centerpiece and add a delightful crunch.
How to Make Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F which is just right to get the cinnamon rolls golden and cooked through without drying them out. Greasing your Bundt or tube pan with non-stick spray ensures the cake will come out cleanly and hold its iconic shape, ready for decoration.
Step 2: Arrange the Cinnamon Rolls
Pop open the cinnamon roll cans and carefully remove the included icing packets for now. Layer the rolls snugly at the bottom of your prepared pan; they might need a little gentle squeezing to fit tightly which ensures an even bake and that signature swirl pattern when sliced.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cinnamon rolls for about 25 to 30 minutes until they lose their gooey, raw texture and develop a lovely golden warmth throughout. This step forms the delicious foundation of your Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe, blending that familiar cinnamon aroma with lightly crisped edges.
Step 4: Cool and Turn Out
Once baked, carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter to cool. This cooling phase is essential so your glaze won’t run off and your cake sets nicely, ready for the festive finishing touches.
Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Icing
While the cake cools, mix the two frosting packets that came with the cinnamon rolls and soften them by blending with 2 ounces of cream cheese. The cream cheese adds a dreamy, tangy depth that turns the regular icing into something truly special.
Step 6: Decorate with Colorful Sugar Crystals
Spread the cream cheese-infused icing generously over the cooled cake. Then sprinkle the sugar crystals in alternating purple, yellow, and green stripes, mimicking the iconic Mardi Gras colors and turning your Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe into an eye-catching party centerpiece.
How to Serve Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, consider adding edible gold leaf or a small plastic “baby” figure tucked underneath one slice for the traditional King Cake game. Fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or mandarin oranges can also add a bright contrast to the rich sweetness.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a hot beverage, especially strong coffee, rich hot chocolate, or even a spiced chai latte. These drinks complement the cinnamon and cream cheese flavors while keeping your celebration cozy and indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe on a colorful Mardi Gras-themed platter or a decorative cake stand. For parties, cut it into small bite-sized pieces, arranging them on a festive tray to make sharing and sampling easy for guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to preserve freshness. Keep it away from direct sunlight or heat to avoid melting the icing or softening the sugar crystals.
Freezing
If you want to keep the cake longer, freezing works great. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Gently warm slices in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds to bring out that soft cinnamon roll texture without melting the icing too much. Avoid overheating so you keep the balance of moistness and glaze integrity that makes this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I make a homemade icing instead of using the canned one?
Absolutely! While the canned icing makes this recipe extra quick, mixing powdered sugar, a bit of vanilla, and cream cheese creates a homemade glaze that’s just as delicious and tailor-made for your taste.
What kind of cinnamon rolls work best?
Look for jumbo cinnamon rolls in cans that include icing packets; these are perfect size-wise and offer the right balance of dough and filling for the Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe’s structure and flavor.
Can I add fillings like fruit or nuts?
Yes, although this recipe shines with its simplicity, adding chopped nuts or dried fruit inside the ring before baking can add a nice texture contrast and a little extra flavor dimension if you want to personalize it.
Is this recipe suitable for a last-minute party?
Definitely! In fact, that’s the beauty of the Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe – it comes together fast, looks fantastic, and tastes like you spent hours baking without the fuss, perfect for surprising guests or a spontaneous celebration.
How do I keep the colored sugar from melting or bleeding?
Wait until the cake is completely cool and the icing is thick but not wet before sprinkling your colored sugar. This helps keep the colors vibrant and prevents the sugar from dissolving into the glaze.
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully joyful about bringing a slice of Mardi Gras tradition to your home with an effortless recipe like this Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe. It’s the perfect way to celebrate without stress, delivering warmth, color, and that unforgettable cinnamon sweetness. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience just how easy and delightful Mardi Gras can be anytime you want!
Print
Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Shortcut Mardi Gras King Cake is a festive and easy-to-make dessert perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras. Using canned jumbo cinnamon rolls simplifies the process while delivering a sweet, cinnamon-flavored treat topped with vibrant purple, yellow, and green sugar crystals and a creamy cream cheese icing blend. Ready in just 45 minutes, this king cake serves 8 and captures the spirit and flavors of the traditional Mardi Gras celebration.
Ingredients
King Cake
- 2 (17.5-ounce) cans jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing (each tube contains 5 rolls)
Icing
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Sugar crystals in purple, yellow, and green for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a Bundt or tube pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Cinnamon Rolls: Open the cinnamon roll tubes and remove the icing packets. Arrange the un-iced cinnamon rolls snugly at the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan, squeezing them in as needed to fit evenly.
- Bake the Rolls: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are fully set and no longer gooey in the center, indicating they have baked through.
- Cool the Cake: Carefully turn the baked cinnamon roll cake out onto a serving platter and let it cool completely to room temperature before applying icing.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Icing: While the cake cools, mix the two packets of cinnamon roll icing with 2 ounces of softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Decorate the Cake: Spread the cream cheese enhanced icing evenly over the cooled cake. Decorate by sprinkling the sugar crystals in purple, yellow, and green colors alternately to represent traditional Mardi Gras colors.
Notes
- Make sure the cake is fully cooled before spreading the cream cheese icing to prevent it from melting and sliding off.
- You can substitute homemade cinnamon rolls if desired, but baking times might vary.
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream cheese icing mixture.
- The sugar crystals provide crunch and authentic Mardi Gras colors; if unavailable, colored sanding sugar can be used.
- This cake is best enjoyed the day it’s made but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
