Mini King Cakes

King cake is the quintessential Mardi Gras treat! We created a quick and easy version using refrigerated cinnamon rolls. They are warm, gooey, and delicious and take only 15 minutes! Will you find a hidden baby inside? This recipe was featured on our Princess & the Frog Disney dinner.

Makes 8 Mini Cakes

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoons cinnamon
1 can jumbo cinnamon rolls with icing
Gold sprinkles

Additional Cream Cheese Icing (optional)

2 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
Gel Food Coloring: bright yellow, purple & green

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese and butter and beat until light and fluffy with a mixer. Add powdered sugar and cream. Blend slowly, adding additional cream if it’s too thick.

2. Divide the icing into three small bowls, add a few drops of gel food coloring and stir well until thoroughly combined.

3. Prepare three piping bags fitted with medium sized round tips. Fill each bag with one color of icing. Set aside.

King Cake Instructions:

Prepare pans – Heat oven to 375°F. Brush mini bundt pan reservoirs with melted butter. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Next sprinkle buttered Bundt pan reservoirs with sugar mixture.
Form cakes – Remove cinnamon rolls from can. Set aside icing. Uncoil each roll and stretch out to a 6-inch long snake. Roll to achieve a uniform width. Twist slightly to create a braided look. Place twisted cinnamon roll in a circular shape in each bundt pan resevoire. Press the ends together and press into the bottom of the pan. Add a baby in the folds of the cakes if desired. Pour remaining butter over the tops.
Bake – Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden and puffy. Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter.
Decorate – Pipe or spoon included icing over the tops of the cakes. If desired pipe additional green, purple and yellow icing (see recipe above) over the tops of the cakes and decorate with gold sprinkles.