Easy King Cake
This Easy King Cake is a festive, quick version of the traditional New Orleans King Cake, made from pre-made cinnamon roll dough and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze and colorful sugars.
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 can cinnamon rolls Use pre-made, refrigerated type with icing removed or reserved
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar Confectioners' sugar is required for a smooth glaze
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Pure vanilla gives the best flavor
- 2 tablespoons milk Use any milk you have, dairy or plant-based
To Serve
- to taste colored sugars (purple, green, yellow) For topping; optional for decoration
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven according to the cinnamon rolls package instructions. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Open the cinnamon rolls and unroll each one into long strips of dough. Lay the strips side by side on the prepared sheet, fitting them into a rough ring shape.
- Move the side-by-side strips into a clean ring shape on the sheet. Press and pinch the ends together and tuck any loose edges under.
Baking
- Bake the ring in the preheated oven until golden brown and the center is set, checking a few minutes before the package time.
Glazing
- While the cake cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency as needed.
- Drizzle the glaze evenly over the top of the warm cake and immediately sprinkle with colored sugars in stripes.
Notes
For a lighter glaze, reduce powdered sugar a bit and add more milk. Decorate immediately so sugars stick. The cake is best served warm, and leftovers can be stored in an airtight container.