Introduction

These Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies capture the festive flavors of a traditional king cake in a fun, bite-sized treat. With a delicate cinnamon swirl and colorful sprinkles, they’re perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras or any special occasion.

Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 cup butter (softened)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup light brown sugar (packed)
1 large egg yolk
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1½ tsp butter flavor extract
1 tsp almond extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp butter (melted)
⅓ cup light brown sugar (packed)
2½ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp salt
1 tsp light or dark corn syrup
3 oz cream cheese (softened)
3 oz butter (softened)
1¼ cup powdered sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp milk
¾ tsp cream cheese flavoring extract
½ tsp butter extract
⅛ tsp almond extract
Purple sprinkles
Yellow sprinkles
Green sprinkles

Instructions

Step 1: Cream the softened butter with granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture is creamy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter flavor extract, and almond extract thoroughly.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined.
Step 5: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or overnight. If chilling overnight, allow the dough to come to near room temperature before rolling.
Step 6: Lightly flour a flat surface or use two sheets of parchment paper for rolling out the dough.
Step 7: Roll the dough into a 12 by 10-inch rectangle.
Step 8: In a small bowl, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave, then stir in light brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and corn syrup until well combined.
Step 9: Immediately pour the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Use a spatula to spread it carefully, leaving about ½-inch space on all sides without filling.
Step 10: Position the longer side of the dough (12-inch side) toward you and carefully roll it tightly into a log. Use the parchment paper to help guide and keep the roll tight.
Step 11: Wrap the rolled dough in parchment paper and freeze on a sheet pan for 15 minutes.
Step 12: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 13: Cut the chilled dough log into ¼-inch thick slices. You can cut the log in half, then slice each half into 15 slices for a total of 30 cookies.
Step 14: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, then allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Step 15: To prepare the frosting, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth, then add softened butter and cream, beating until combined.
Step 16: Beat in salt, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth, then mix in the cream cheese flavoring extract, butter extract, and almond extract until well blended.
Step 17: Frost the cooled cookies and decorate with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to celebrate Mardi Gras colors.

Tips & Variations

Chilling the dough before rolling makes it easier to handle and results in neater slices.
If you don’t have cream cheese flavoring extract, vanilla or almond extract can be used as a substitute.
For a richer filling, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon sugar mixture before rolling.
Use colored sugars or edible glitter in place of sprinkles for a different look.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to one week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat chilled cookies briefly in a microwave or oven before serving for the best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared and chilled overnight. Just be sure to let it come close to room temperature before rolling for easier handling.

Can I substitute the extracts?

Yes, vanilla extract can replace some or all of the flavor extracts if needed, though the unique flavor profile may be slightly different.

Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 105 reviews

These Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies combine the festive flavors of traditional king cake with the convenience of bite-sized cookies. Soft, cinnamon-spiced dough is rolled with a sugary cinnamon filling, baked to perfection, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and colorful Mardi Gras sprinkles that celebrate the vibrant holiday spirit.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 30 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

1 cup butter (softened)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup light brown sugar (packed)
1 large egg yolk
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1½ tsp butter flavor extract
1 tsp almond extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp salt

Filling

2 tbsp butter (melted)
⅓ cup light brown sugar (packed)
2½ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp salt
1 tsp light or dark corn syrup

Frosting

3 oz cream cheese (softened)
3 oz butter (softened)
1¼ cup powdered sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp milk
¾ tsp cream cheese flavoring extract
½ tsp butter extract
⅛ tsp almond extract

Decoration

Purple sprinkles
Yellow sprinkles
Green sprinkles

Instructions

Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
Add egg yolk and extracts: Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter flavor extract, and almond extract until well incorporated.
Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt.
Combine mixtures: Gradually pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined to form the dough.
Chill dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or overnight. If refrigerated overnight, allow the dough to come near room temperature before rolling.
Prepare surface for rolling: Lightly flour a flat surface or use parchment paper (two sheets recommended) to prevent sticking.
Roll dough: Roll the dough into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle evenly.
Make the filling: In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and corn syrup until fully combined.
Spread filling: Immediately pour the cinnamon filling evenly over the rolled dough, then use a spatula to spread it carefully, leaving about a ½-inch border on all sides without filling.
Roll dough into log: Turn the longer (12-inch) side of the dough towards you and carefully roll it tightly into a log, using the parchment paper to guide and keep the shape tight.
Freeze dough log: Wrap the rolled dough in parchment paper and place it on a sheet pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up.
Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice dough: Remove the dough log from the freezer and cut into ¼-inch thick slices. It helps to cut the log in half first, then slice each half into 15 cookies for a total of 30 slices.
Bake cookies: Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and cooked through. Allow cookies to cool before frosting.
Make frosting: Cream the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add softened butter and continue beating. Mix in salt and powdered sugar followed by milk, beating until smooth.
Add extracts to frosting: Stir in cream cheese flavoring extract, butter extract, and almond extract, beating to combine completely.
Frost and decorate cookies: Spread the cream cheese frosting over cooled cookies and top with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to emulate traditional Mardi Gras colors.

Notes

Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll and handle, especially if refrigerated overnight, bring dough close to room temperature before rolling.
Using parchment paper helps keep the dough from sticking and aids in rolling tightly to achieve even cookies.
Slice the log into thin, even ¼-inch slices to ensure cookies bake evenly and maintain their shape.
Be careful not to overbake the cookies to keep them soft and tender.
Sprinkles add traditional Mardi Gras flair and can be adjusted or substituted with your favorite festive colors.
For best flavor, use fresh extracts as indicated in the recipe.

Keywords: King Cake, Cinnamon Roll Cookies, Mardi Gras Cookies, Festive Cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting, Cinnamon Sugar, Holiday Cookies