Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate Mardi Gras with these festive King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies! They combine the classic flavors of cinnamon rolls with colorful sprinkles, perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a sweet treat.

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

1. Step 1: Cream 1 cup softened butter with granulated sugar and ⅓ cup light brown sugar until creamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter flavor extract, and almond extract until well combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and ½ tsp salt.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined.
5. Step 5: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or overnight. If chilled overnight, bring dough to near room temperature before rolling.
6. Step 6: Lightly flour a flat surface or use parchment paper (two sheets recommended) for rolling the dough.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough into a 12 by 10-inch rectangle.
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, melt 2 tbsp butter, then stir in ⅓ cup light brown sugar, cinnamon, ⅛ tsp salt, and corn syrup until combined.
9. Step 9: Pour the cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough. Use a spatula to spread it carefully, leaving about ½ inch of space around the edges without filling.
10. Step 10: Position the longer (12-inch) side toward you and carefully and tightly roll the dough into a log. Use the parchment paper to guide and tighten the roll.
11. Step 11: Wrap the rolled dough in parchment paper and freeze on a sheet pan for 15 minutes.
12. Step 12: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
13. Step 13: Cut the chilled dough into ¼-inch thick slices. Cutting in halves first can help make even slices, aiming for about 30 slices total.
14. Step 14: Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow them to cool before frosting.
15. Step 15: To make the frosting, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth, then add softened butter and continue mixing.
16. Step 16: Beat in salt, powdered sugar, milk, and the cream cheese, butter, and almond extracts until well combined.
17. Step 17: Frost each cookie and decorate with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to complete the Mardi Gras theme.

Tips & Variations

• For easier rolling, make sure the dough is chilled but not too cold—soft enough to roll without cracking.
• Use parchment paper to roll and shape the dough to avoid sticking and get a tighter roll.
• Swap out the extracts for your favorites if you prefer a different flavor profile.
• These cookies freeze well, so you can prepare the dough or baked cookies ahead of time.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator up to one week, or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in a microwave to soften frosting if needed.

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 made and refrigerated overnight. Just bring it to near room temperature before rolling to make handling easier.

What if I don’t have cream cheese flavoring extract?

You can omit the cream cheese flavoring extract or replace it with a little vanilla extract for a slightly different but still delicious frosting.

Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 78 reviews

These Mardi Gras King Cake Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional king cake, combining the flavors of cinnamon rolls with festive colors and sprinkles perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras. Soft, tender cookies swirled with a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting make these treats irresistible and perfect for parties or holiday gatherings.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 30 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie 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

Cinnamon Sugar 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

Cream Cheese 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

1. Cream Butter and Sugars: Cream together 1 cup softened butter, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, and ⅓ cup light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy, which takes about 5 minutes.
2. Add Egg Yolk and Extracts: Mix in 1 large egg yolk along with 1½ tsp vanilla extract, 1½ tsp butter flavor extract, and 1 tsp almond extract until fully incorporated.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, and ½ tsp salt.
4. Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients low speed, mixing just until combined to form the dough.
5. Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight. For overnight chilling, allow the dough to come to near room temperature before rolling.
6. Prepare Rolling Surface: Lightly flour a flat surface or use two sheets of parchment paper to roll out the dough evenly without sticking.
7. Roll Dough: Roll the dough into a 12 by 10-inch rectangle for easy filling and rolling.
8. Make Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, then stir in ⅓ cup light brown sugar, 2½ tsp ground cinnamon, ⅛ tsp salt, and 1 tsp corn syrup until combined.
9. Spread Filling: Immediately pour the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the rolled dough. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, leaving about a ½-inch border without filling around the edges.
10. Roll Dough Log: Position the longer (12-inch) side of the dough facing you and carefully roll it tightly into a log, using parchment paper to guide and keep the roll tight and neat.
11. Freeze Roll: Wrap the dough log in parchment paper and freeze it on a sheet pan for 15 minutes to firm up for easier slicing.
12. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
13. Slice Cookies: Slice the chilled dough log into ¼-inch thick slices. You may cut the log in half first, then slice each half into approximately 15 slices for a total of 30 cookies.
14. Bake: Arrange the slices on the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until set and lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
15. Make Frosting: Beat 3 oz softened cream cheese until smooth, then add 3 oz softened butter and beat until combined. Add 1¼ cup powdered sugar, ¼ tsp salt, and 1 tbsp milk and beat until creamy.
16. Add Extracts to Frosting: Mix in ¾ tsp cream cheese flavoring extract, ½ tsp butter extract, and ⅛ tsp almond extract to enhance the flavor, beating until well combined.
17. Frost and Decorate: Spread frosting generously over cooled cookies and top with purple, yellow, and green sprinkles to celebrate the Mardi Gras theme.

Notes

• For best slicing results, ensure the dough log is well chilled or slightly frozen before cutting.
• You can prepare the dough and filling a day ahead to save time on baking day.
• The extracts in the frosting are optional but add a festive and authentic flavor to the cookies.
• Use regular parchment paper for easier rolling and cleanup.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Mardi Gras, King Cake, Cinnamon Roll, Cookies, Festive Cookies, Louisiana Dessert, Mardi Gras Treats