King Cake

FoodRecipesParties

Jan 8

The history of The King cake references the Epiphany, celebrating the visit of the Magi (three wise men) to Jesus Christ at the end of the Christmas season. In other places, it is associated with the pre-lent celebrations of Mardi Gras and Carnival. Regardless, I love the chance to find baby Jesus, and eat delicious cake! This is an easy King Cake recipe that will please any crowd.

More infromation on Mardi Gras and King Cakes!

INGREDIENTS:

2 Cans of Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls with frosting (I used Trader Joe’s, 8 jumbo rolls)
1 ½ Cups of Granulated Sugar (3 individual ½ cups placed in plastic bags)

FILLING INGREDIENTS:

1 8 oz. Package of Cream Cheese
½ Cup of Confectioners Sugar
¼ Cup of Half and Half
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat pan with nonstick cooking spray or use silpat liner.

2. Separate cinnamon rolls at perforations, and cut into 4-inch slices. Place slices around prepared pan (circle form like a King Cake). Be sure to press center seams together.

3. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, half and half and vanilla until creamy. Spread on dough in center of the cinnamon roll slices.

4. Insert plastic baby where desired. Fold over and press opposite edges together. Be sure to close where seams have been pressed together and place them downward on pan. If needed continue forming a circular roll like a king cake.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or according to cinnamon roll baking directions.

6. While it bakes, make your sugar crystals. Place each ½ cup of sugar in individual plastic sandwich bags (you will have three; green, yellow, and purple). Add 5 drops of food color to each bag according to its color. Add more food color (1-2 drops at a time) if you want the color darker. Seal bag and shake vigorously until coloring is distributed and visible.

7. Remove cake from oven and cover top of circular King Cake with cinnamon roll icing. Use spatula to spread so it rolls down the sides.

8. Sprinkle with colored sugar crystals, yellow, green, purple and repeat. Enjoy!