Description
This Easy King Cake recipe transforms store-bought cinnamon rolls into a festive, colorful treat perfect for Mardi Gras or any celebration. Layered with brown sugar and butter in a bundt pan, baked until golden and puffy, then topped with icing and vibrant sanding sugars, this cake offers a quick and delicious twist on the traditional King Cake.
Ingredients
Scale
King Cake Base
- 2 (16 oz) cans cinnamon rolls with icing
- 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
Decorations
- Green sanding sugar
- Yellow sanding sugar
- Purple sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a bundt pan generously with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the cake.
- First Layer of Butter and Sugar: Drizzle about one third of the melted butter evenly across the bottom and sides of the bundt pan, then sprinkle approximately one third of the light brown sugar over the buttered surface.
- Prepare and Layer Cinnamon Rolls: Using your hands, gently smash each cinnamon roll to a slightly larger size. Arrange half of the cinnamon rolls evenly around the bundt pan to form the first layer.
- Add Second Layer of Butter and Sugar: Drizzle half of the remaining melted butter over the first layer of cinnamon rolls, then sprinkle half of the remaining brown sugar on top.
- Second Layer of Cinnamon Rolls: Repeat the smashing and layer the remaining cinnamon rolls on top of the brown sugar. Drizzle the rest of the melted butter and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar evenly over the top.
- Bake the Cake: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown, puffy, and have mostly filled the bundt pan. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Add the Baby or Trinket (Optional): When the cake is cool enough to handle, use a small tool or your finger to create a hole in the cake, then insert the hidden baby or trinket if desired.
- Invert and Cool Completely: Carefully invert the cinnamon roll cake onto a serving plate or cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely before adding the icing.
- Warm the Icing and Decorate: Microwave the cinnamon roll icing for 5 to 10 seconds, just until it softens and is easy to spread. Pour the icing evenly over the cooled cake.
- Apply Colored Sugars: Sprinkle green, yellow, and purple sanding sugars over the icing while it is still wet to create the signature Mardi Gras colors.
Notes
- You can add a small plastic baby or trinket inside the cake after baking to stay true to the traditional King Cake custom.
- If you prefer, substitute colored sanding sugars with finely chopped nuts or edible glitter for decoration.
- Make sure the cake is cooled completely before applying icing to avoid it melting off.
- Using fresh cinnamon rolls is possible but may affect baking time slightly.
- Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
