Easy King Cake Using Packaged Crescent Rolls Recipe

Introduction

This easy King Cake recipe uses packaged crescent rolls for a quick and delicious Mardi Gras treat. Filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with colorful sugars, it’s perfect for celebrations or any time you want a festive dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 – 8 ounce packages refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 2 – 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Colored sugars in purple, green, and yellow
• Small plastic baby, bean, or coin

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Open crescent roll packages and separate the triangles. Arrange the triangles on a large, round baking stone or pizza pan with the points facing the center.
3. Step 3: Press the crescent rolls together in the middle to form a ring, leaving the edges loose.
4. Step 4: In a mixer, blend cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans.
5. Step 5: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the pressed-together middle area of the crescent rolls.
6. Step 6: Fold the points of the crescent roll triangles over the filling, pressing the tips into the opposite side of the dough. Then fold the wider edges over the filling, tucking ends under the inside of the ring. Press lightly to seal.
7. Step 7: Bake for 25 minutes or until the cake is golden brown.
8. Step 8: Let the King Cake cool slightly but not completely.
9. Step 9: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth and lump-free. Pour the icing over the cake.
10. Step 10: Immediately sprinkle colored sugars in purple, green, and yellow over the icing.
11. Step 11: Before serving, slide a small plastic baby, bean, or coin under the cake for a fun tradition.

Tips & Variations

• Use toasted pecans for extra flavor and crunch.
• Substitute chopped walnuts if pecans are unavailable.
• For a dairy-free version, use vegan cream cheese and plant-based milk.
• Add a bit of orange zest to the filling for a citrus twist.

Storage

Store leftover King Cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat briefly in a low oven or microwave before serving to soften the dough and refresh the glaze.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this King Cake in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the cake up to the baking step and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator overnight. Bake it fresh the next day for best results.

What can I use instead of the plastic baby?

If you prefer a non-plastic option, a dried bean or a clean coin works well and keeps the tradition alive.

Easy King Cake Using Packaged Crescent Rolls Recipe

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This Easy King Cake recipe uses convenient refrigerated crescent roll dough to create a festive Mardi Gras treat filled with a creamy cinnamon-pecan filling. Topped with a sweet powdered sugar glaze and colorful sugars, this king cake is perfect for celebrations and is quick to prepare without sacrificing traditional flavors.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American, Mardi Gras

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 2 – 8 ounce packages refrigerated crescent roll dough

Filling

• 2 – 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Icing

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Decorations

• Colored sugars in purple, green, and yellow
• Small plastic baby figurine (or bean or coin)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the king cake when assembled.
2. Prepare Dough Circle: Open the crescent roll packages and separate the triangles. Arrange the triangles on a large, round baking stone or pizza pan, placing the points toward the center to form a circular shape. Press the triangles together at their middle so they stick, while keeping the edges loose.
3. Make Filling: In a mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended. Then fold in the chopped pecans evenly.
4. Spread Filling: Evenly spoon the cream cheese mixture over the pressed center area of the crescent roll dough circle, leaving the outer edges free.
5. Seal Dough: Fold the pointed tips of the crescent rolls over the cream cheese filling and press these tips into the opposite edge of the dough ring. Then fold the wide edges of dough over the filling, tucking the ends underneath the inside of the ring to create a sealed circular package. Lightly press to seal any openings or creases.
6. Bake: Place the prepared king cake in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the dough turns golden brown and cooked through.
7. Cool Slightly: Remove the king cake from the oven and allow it to cool just a bit, but not completely, while you prepare the icing.
8. Make Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth with no lumps, creating a sweet glaze.
9. Glaze and Decorate: Pour the icing over the warm king cake, allowing it to drizzle over the top. Immediately sprinkle colored sugars in the traditional Mardi Gras colors — purple, green, and yellow — over the icing for decoration.
10. Add Baby: Before serving, slide a small plastic baby, bean, or coin under the king cake as a fun hidden surprise tradition.

Notes

• Use softened cream cheese for easiest mixing and smoothest filling texture.
• Pressing the crescent dough points together well helps prevent the filling from leaking out while baking.
• You can substitute chopped walnuts for pecans if preferred.
• Make sure the icing is poured over the cake while it is still slightly warm to help it set nicely.
• The plastic baby is a traditional Mardi Gras symbol and should be removed before eating to avoid choking hazards.
• Store any leftovers covered tightly at room temperature or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: King Cake, Mardi Gras, Crescent Roll Cake, Cream Cheese Filling, Easy King Cake, Festive Dessert