King Cake Recipe Cinnamon Rolls
King Cake Recipe Cinnamon Rolls combine the festive spirit of Mardi Gras with the comfort of classic cinnamon rolls. Swirled with cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with creamy icing and colourful sprinkles, they’re perfect for brunch or dessert. Easy to customise, make ahead friendly, and irresistibly soft these rolls are a sweet, celebratory twist on a Southern favourite.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (optional)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling Pin
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Plastic wrap or clean towel
- Saucepan (optional for warming milk)
- Spatula
- Whisk or hand mixer for frosting
Ingredients
For The Dough
- 1 cup whole milk warmed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons 1 packet active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar light or dark
- 2 –3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Optional ½ cup chopped pecans or pecan pieces
Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 –3 tablespoons whole milk adjust for consistency
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For Decoration
- Green gold (yellow), and purple sanding sugar or sprinkles (for Mardi Gras theme)
Instructions
Step 1: Wake Up The Yeast
- Warm the milk until it’s just hot to the touch (around 100–110°F). Stir in the sugar, then sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks foamy and bubbly.
Step 2: Mix The Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk mixture with the eggs, egg yolk, melted butter, vanilla, flour, and salt. Stir everything together until a dough starts to form. Knead it by hand or with a dough hook for 7–10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and stretchy.
Step 3: Let It Rise
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and set it somewhere warm. Let it rise for 1 to 1½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 4: Make The Filling
- While the dough is rising, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a small pinch of salt. Stir until it’s well blended. If you like, toss in some chopped pecans for a little crunch.
Step 5: Roll It Out
- Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, roughly 16 by 12 inches. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly all over the surface.
Step 6: Roll It Up And Slice
- Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or unflavoured dental floss to cut it into 12 equal pieces. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise again for about 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
Step 7: Time To Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 22–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and cooked through.
Step 8: Frost And Finish
- Let the rolls cool just a bit, then whisk together the frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread it over the warm rolls, then immediately sprinkle with green, gold, and purple sugar for that festive King Cake look.