Introduction

Celebrate Mardi Gras with these festive King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies. They combine the rich flavors of cinnamon rolls with fun, colorful sprinkles, perfect for sharing at any party or gathering.

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 sugar and light brown sugar until creamy, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter flavor extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined.
Step 5: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or overnight. If refrigerated overnight, bring dough to near room temperature before rolling.
Step 6: Lightly flour a flat surface or use parchment paper (two sheets work well) to roll 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. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and corn syrup until combined.
Step 9: Pour the cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough, using a spatula to spread it, leaving about a ½-inch border on all sides without filling.
Step 10: Turn the longer (12-inch) side of the dough toward you and carefully roll it tightly into a log, using parchment paper to help guide and hold its shape.
Step 11: Wrap the roll 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 dough into ¼-inch thick slices. You can cut the whole log at once or halve it and then slice each half to get about 30 slices total.
Step 14: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Allow them to cool before frosting.
Step 15: To make the frosting, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add softened butter and beat together.
Step 16: Add salt, powdered sugar, and milk. Beat until combined and creamy.
Step 17: Mix in cream cheese flavoring extract, butter extract, and almond extract. Beat well.
Step 18: Frost the cooled cookies and top with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles for a festive Mardi Gras touch.

Tips & Variations

For easier rolling, chilling the dough overnight helps to develop flavor and makes handling simpler.
Use parchment paper when rolling and cutting to prevent sticking and keep the log tight.
Substitute almond extract with lemon extract for a slightly different flavor profile.
Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra texture.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften before serving if desired.

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 refrigerated overnight. Just be sure to bring it to near room temperature before rolling to make it easier to handle.

What if I don’t have all the extracts?

If you don’t have all the extracts, use vanilla extract as a base and omit or substitute the others according to your preference. The flavor will still be delicious.

Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

These Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies combine the festive flavors of traditional Mardi Gras king cake with the bite-sized convenience of cinnamon roll cookies. Soft, fragrant, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and colorful sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for celebrations or simply indulging in a sweet treat.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 25 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

Toppings

Purple sprinkles
Yellow sprinkles
Green sprinkles

Instructions

Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter with ⅓ cup granulated sugar and ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar until creamy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
Add egg yolk and extracts: Mix in 1 large egg yolk, 1½ tsp vanilla extract, 1½ tsp butter flavor extract, and 1 tsp almond extract until fully incorporated.
Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, and ½ tsp salt.
Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined to form the dough.
Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or overnight. If refrigerated overnight, allow it to come to near room temperature before rolling.
Prepare rolling surface: Lightly flour a flat surface or use two sheets of parchment paper for rolling out the dough to prevent sticking.
Roll out dough: Roll the dough into a 12 by 10-inch rectangle evenly.
Make the filling: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 tbsp butter. Stir in ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar, 2½ tsp ground cinnamon, ⅛ tsp salt, and 1 tsp corn syrup until well combined.
Spread filling: Immediately pour the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the rolled dough and spread evenly using a spatula, leaving about ½ inch border on all sides without filling.
Roll into a log: Roll the dough tightly along the longer 12-inch side, using the parchment paper to help shape and keep the roll tight.
Freeze the roll: Wrap the log in parchment paper and place it on a sheet pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up for easier slicing.
Prepare to bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice the cookies: Remove the roll from the freezer, unwrap from parchment, and cut into ¼-inch thick slices. Cutting half the roll into 15 slices is suggested; total yield is about 30 cookies.
Bake: Place the cookie slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden around the edges. Let them cool before frosting.
Make the frosting: Cream 3 oz softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 3 oz softened butter, ¼ tsp salt, and beat together. Gradually mix in 1¼ cups powdered sugar and 1 tbsp milk until smooth and fluffy. Beat in ¾ tsp cream cheese flavoring extract, ½ tsp butter extract, and ⅛ tsp almond extract for added flavor.
Frost and decorate: Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto cooled cookies. Top with festive purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to mimic Mardi Gras colors.

Notes

The dough can be refrigerated overnight for convenience; bring to near room temperature before rolling to prevent cracking.
Using parchment paper when rolling and slicing helps keep the dough in shape and makes handling easier.
Adjust baking time slightly if cookies are thinner or thicker than ¼ inch to prevent burning or undercooking.
Feel free to customize sprinkles or add a drizzle of colored glaze for extra decoration.
Properly softened butter and cream cheese are essential for smooth frosting.

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