Introduction

Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies bring the festive flavors of a traditional King Cake into a fun, bite-sized treat. These cookies combine rich cinnamon filling with a creamy, spiced frosting and are topped with colorful sprinkles to celebrate the season. Perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying with a cup of coffee.

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 together 1 cup softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar 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 until fully incorporated.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon salt.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined; do not overmix.
Step 5: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or overnight. If chilled overnight, allow 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 2 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Stir in ⅓ cup light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and corn syrup until well combined.
Step 9: Immediately pour the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough. Use a spatula to spread the filling, leaving about a ½-inch border around all edges without filling.
Step 10: Position the longer side (12-inch) of the dough towards you. Carefully and tightly roll the dough into a log, using the parchment paper to help guide and maintain a tight roll.
Step 11: Wrap the rolled dough in parchment paper and freeze on a baking sheet for 15 minutes.
Step 12: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 13: Remove the dough from the freezer and cut into ¼-inch thick slices. Cutting in halves first makes it easier to get 15 slices per half, totaling 30 slices.
Step 14: Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting.
Step 15: To prepare the frosting, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add softened butter and briefly mix.
Step 16: Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and salt, beating until smooth and creamy. Mix in cream cheese flavoring extract, butter extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Step 17: Frost each cooled cookie generously and top with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to complete the festive look.

Tips & Variations

Chilling the dough helps with easier rolling and cleaner cuts, so don’t skip this step for best results.
Use parchment paper to roll the dough tightly to avoid cracks and ensure the cinnamon filling stays inside the roll.
For a dairy-free option, substitute cream cheese and butter in the frosting with coconut cream and vegan butter.
Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon filling for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. To enjoy after freezing, thaw at room temperature and add frosting before serving. If refrigerated, allow the cookies to come to room temperature before frosting for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to a day ahead. Chill it overnight in the refrigerator, then bring it to near room temperature before rolling and assembling.

What is the best way to get thin, even slices?

Freezing the rolled dough for 15 minutes firms it up and makes it easier to cut into thin, consistent slices without squishing the roll.

Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 140 reviews

These Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a festive twist on the classic king cake, featuring a soft, buttery cinnamon roll dough shaped into bite-sized cookies. They are topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and colorful purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to celebrate Mardi Gras in every bite. Perfect for parties or holiday celebrations, these cookies capture the flavors and spirit of the traditional New Orleans dessert.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 30 cookies 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

Topping

Purple sprinkles
Yellow sprinkles
Green sprinkles

Instructions

Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy, about 5 minutes.
Add egg yolk and extracts: Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter flavor extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt to ensure they are evenly mixed.
Mix dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together without overmixing.
Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or overnight. If chilled overnight, bring dough to near room temperature before rolling.
Prepare rolling surface: Lightly flour a flat surface or use two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking when rolling out the dough.
Roll dough into rectangle: Roll the dough into a 12 x 10-inch rectangle, ensuring even thickness throughout.
Make the filling: In a small bowl, melt butter in the microwave, then stir in light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and corn syrup until well combined.
Spread filling on dough: Immediately pour the filling mixture evenly over the rolled dough. Use a spatula to spread the filling carefully, leaving about a ½-inch border free of filling on all sides.
Roll dough into log: Position the longer side (12-inch) towards you and carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Use the parchment paper to guide and keep the roll tight and shaped properly.
Freeze the dough log: Wrap the rolled dough tightly in parchment paper and place it on a sheet pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up for easier slicing.
Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice the dough into cookies: Remove dough log from freezer; slice into ¼-inch thick rounds. Cutting the log in half first and then slicing each half into 15 slices will yield 30 cookies total.
Bake the cookies: Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool before frosting: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Prepare frosting: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then add softened butter and continue beating. Beat in salt, powdered sugar, and milk until creamy and fluffy.
Add flavor extracts and beat: Mix in cream cheese flavoring extract, butter extract, and almond extract, beating until well combined and smooth.
Frost the cookies: Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto cooled cookies evenly.
Add sprinkles: Top the frosted cookies with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to complete the Mardi Gras theme.

Notes

You can chill the dough overnight for better flavor development but be sure to bring it to near room temperature before rolling.
Using parchment paper to roll and shape the dough helps keep a tight log and prevents sticking.
If you prefer, the cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
For a stronger Mardi Gras flavor, feel free to add a tiny bit more almond or butter extract in frosting to taste.
Ensure cookies are completely cool before frosting to prevent frosting from melting off.

Keywords: Mardi Gras king cake, cinnamon roll cookies, Mardi Gras cookies, cinnamon roll, cream cheese frosting, festive cookies, holiday cookies