Easy King Cake Using Packaged Crescent Rolls Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the king cake when assembled.
- 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.
- 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.
- Spread Filling: Evenly spoon the cream cheese mixture over the pressed center area of the crescent roll dough circle, leaving the outer edges free.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Make Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth with no lumps, creating a sweet glaze.
- 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.
- 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
