Easy King Cake

A Taste of Mardi Gras

Get ready to bring a taste of Mardi Gras to your kitchen with this ridiculously easy King Cake recipe! Originating from Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras holds a special place in our hearts, but finding a King Cake in North Carolina? Well, that’s a challenge. Fear not, because I’ve got a solution: an Easy King Cake made from canned cinnamon rolls. It may not be perfect, but it’s a delightful little treat that captures the spirit of the season.

The tradition of the King Cake

Did you know that King Cake tradition goes back centuries? It’s believed to have originated in France and was brought to the Gulf Coast by French settlers. King Cake is associated with the celebration of Carnival, leading up to the solemn period of Lent.

The cake’s circular shape symbolizes the unity of faith and the continuous cycle of life, while its vibrant colors—typically purple, green, and gold—represent justice, faith, and power, respectively. These colors are also echoed in the festive decorations adorning the cake.

Central to the King Cake tradition is the hidden figurine or trinket, often shaped like a baby, representing the Christ child. In some cultures, finding the figurine in your slice of cake brings good fortune and prosperity, while in others, it carries the responsibility of hosting the next King Cake party.

Overall, the King Cake serves as a joyful symbol of community, fellowship, and the spirit of celebration, bringing people together to indulge in the sweetness of life’s blessings, especially during festive occasions like Mardi Gras.

Ingredients for Easy King Cake

• 2 cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• ½ block cream cheese (I used reduced fat)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Colored sugar (purple, gold, green)
• 1 small plastic baby (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a Bundt pan.
2. Arrange the cinnamon rolls in the pan, standing each on its side, to form a ring.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Prepare the icing by combining the icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls, cream cheese, and vanilla extract.
5. Let the cake cool completely before adding the icing.
6. Sprinkle with colored sugar.
7. Optional: Insert the plastic baby into the cake before serving. * I didn’t have a plastic baby lying around so I used a Lego man instead.

Celebrate Simplicity

What sets this King Cake apart is its simplicity. Made from canned cinnamon rolls, it’s so easy that even the little ones can get involved in the baking fun. Plus, its sweet, cinnamon flavor with a crunchy sugar topping will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Tips for Success:

Wait until the cake cools completely before adding the icing and colored sugar for the perfect finish. And don’t forget to push the plastic baby into the cake after it’s baked—just like the traditional King Cake!

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