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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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Add egg yolk and extracts: Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter flavor extract, and almond extract until well incorporated.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt.
  4. Combine mixtures: Gradually pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined to form the dough.
  5. 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.
  6. Prepare surface for rolling: Lightly flour a flat surface or use parchment paper (two sheets recommended) to prevent sticking.
  7. Roll dough: Roll the dough into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle evenly.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Add extracts to frosting: Stir in cream cheese flavoring extract, butter extract, and almond extract, beating to combine completely.
  17. 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

Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/mardi-gras-king-cake-cinnamon-roll-cookies-recipe/