As you guys know, I’m from Mobile, Alabama which is known for many things. Most of which I don’t actually remember because… well, because I’m me. But here are some of my faves:
Dropping a moonpie on New Years Eve.
Hurricanes.
The Senior Bowl.
And having the first Mardi Gras celebration in the States.
I bring this up every Mardi Gras because if there’s one thing us Mobilians hate it’s overhearing someone talk about how Mardi Gras is from New Orleans.
Seriously, 99% of my Mobile Facebook friends belong to the “Mardi Gras was in Mobile before New Orleans was even a city” FB group.
We get to claim it. Take that, New Orleans!
(For the record, I love New Orleans Mardi Gras, too. I just like Mobile’s a smidge better.)
Anyway, Mardi Gras has long been my favorite holiday and even though it’s not celebrated here in Colorado, I still sit on my front porch and throw things at the neighbors when they walk by.
Just kidding. But I want to.
King cakes are one of the many things I love about Mardi Gras! If you’ve never had one, it’s like a giant cinnamon roll shaped in a ring and then it’s iced and covered in Mardi Gras sprinkles. Or, you can make my favorite kind which has the cinnamon roll thing going for it but also has a sweetened cream cheese filling. It’s to die for.
And that’s what these King Cake Cupcakes are except to make life easier for all of us, I used cans of crescent rolls. So really, these guys took absolutely no time to throw together.
You should definitely make them Tuesday for Mardi Gras or Sunday for Joe Cain Day!
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- 2 tubes crescent rolls
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 - 2 tablespoons water
- purple green, and yellow sprinkles
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Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a muffin tin with baking spray.
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In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon.
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In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until no lumps remain. Set aside.
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Working on a sheet of parchment paper, unroll one tube of crescent rolls. Divide into 4 rectangles and press to seal the seam going diagonally through each rectangle. Repeat with remaining tube of crescent rolls.
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Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of each one. Spread a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture down one long side of each rectangle. Roll up each one as if rolling cinnamon rolls, sealing the ends. Then roll them up again so that they resemble cinnamon rolls. Transfer to prepared muffin tin.
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Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 12 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 12 minutes. Let cool before glazing.
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To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Add more water as needed to make it a good spreadable consistency. Spread glaze on each cupcake and top with sprinkles. I find that you need to let the glaze set for a minute or 2 and then sprinkle. But don't wait too long because the sprinkles won't stick if it sets completely!
This post linked to Like Party Palooza, Saturday Night Fever, and Best Recipes and DIY Projects.
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
I adore king cake so I’m going to love these cupcakes!
Marye says
Just drove through Mobile on Monday coming back to Texas from FLA. :) These look amazing! Pinned!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
These are adorable!! Love this mini version of King Cake!
heather @french press says
well look at that , you really do learn something new everyday! I did not know mardi gras started in Mobile, and I had no idea that a king cake was like a big cinnamon roll – now I really need to make one, that and throw stuff at my neighbors
Ellie says
Do you put a baby in one?
amanda says
I didn’t but only because I only have creepy gold babies and they look like they’d bring more bad luck than good!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
I’ve never heard of King Cakes but they look fantastic!
Heather / girlichef says
I’ll admit, I did not know that! But I love a good King Cake, and your mini versions are fantastic!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Amanda – props to you for giving Mobile her Mardi Gras recognition! I didn’t know that! I do love Mobile.
I think these King Cake cupcakes are adorable!
Serene @ House of Yumm says
How fun! Love King Cake, and I love that you made it into cupcakes, they are adorable!
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
I had no idea that Mardi Gras was started in Mobile, Alabama. Your little mini king cakes are adorable! I think an addition of some creepy gold babies would make these cupcakes pop! lol
Shanna @ Pineapple and Coconut says
I had never heard of King Cake until a few years ago when a co-worker who was originally from New Orleans brought one to work and explained it to me. The thought of biting into a tiny baby in the cake kind of creeped me out. Still though, the cake was delicious and these cupcakes look awesome!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
These mini versions look even more delicious than a typical sized king cake – plus I don’t have to share!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
Thank you for the education on Mobile and Mardi Gras!! Your cupcakes sound very tasty too!
Paula Jones says
I forget Mobile had Mardi Gras first! I also keep forgetting to make reservations there for Spring Break. My son has a scout trip to the US AL. My 2 most favorite things in the world are king cake and pralines. I finally started making king cake, really it’s my cinnamon roll recipe just shaped different, but I refuse to make praline because, frankly, I don’t want to have to buy a new wardrobe! I love your version of kind cake SO much easier!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
I never knew Mardi Gras started in Alabama. Thats cool! I have never been to Mardi Gras and would love to celebrate one day. Will I get to throw stuff at people too? These cupcakes are right up my ally. I would love some right now in fact. Yum.. Pinned.
Amy @Very Culinary says
DUDE. You had me at cinnamon roll. And sprinkles.
Nutmeg Nanny says
I don’t care where it is but I want to go to a Mardi Gras celebration some day. I love love love the sound of these cupcakes. You pretty much sold me when you said it was like a cinnamon roll……YES PLEASE!
Marissa says
okay, I didn’t know ANY of that. Nor have I ever heard of king cakes, but holy yum!