Mardi Gras celebrations wouldn’t be complete without the iconic King Cake, but what if we could capture all that festive flavor in a bite-sized treat? That’s where our King Cake Cookies come in. These delightful cookies combine the cinnamon-spiced sweetness of the traditional cake with the fun and convenience of handheld desserts. They’re perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a quick indulgence.
King Cake Cookie Recipe
Let’s dive into crafting these delightful King Cake Cookies, packed with the traditional flavors of cinnamon and sweet glaze, perfect for Mardi Gras festivities. Follow our simple step-by-step instructions to bring a touch of New Orleans to your kitchen!
Ingredients
Here’s what we’ll need to make these irresistible cookies:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
For the Filling:
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar (for decoration)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Dough:
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Use a hand or stand mixer for best results.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to make it easier to roll out.
Making the Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Stir in the melted butter until the mixture looks like wet sand.
Assembling the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Spread an even layer of the prepared filling over the dough.
- Roll the dough into a log, then cut into ½-inch slices. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
Adding the Glaze:
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be slightly thick but pourable.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies.
- Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for the classic King Cake look.
Serving Tip:
Present these cookies on a festive platter to wow your guests. They’re as visually stunning as they are delicious!
| Key Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon-Spiced Filling | Adds the King Cake signature flavor. |
| Colorful Sanding Sugar | Represents Mardi Gras colors. |
| Sweet Glaze | Balances and completes the flavor. |
Ingredients
To make these festive King Cake Cookies, we’ll need a mix of pantry staples and fun, colorful decorations. Below, we’ve broken down the ingredients by sections to ensure an organized baking process.
For The Dough
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
For The Filling
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For The Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar (symbolic Mardi Gras colors)
- Optional: Small Mardi Gras-themed decorations or sprinkles
Tools And Equipment
Creating King Cake Cookies requires a handful of essential tools and equipment to ensure a smooth and enjoyable baking process. Using the right tools not only simplifies each step but also helps us achieve the perfectly textured and festive cookies that are the highlight of any Mardi Gras celebration. Here’s what we need:
Baking Tools
- Mixing Bowls: Two to three mixing bowls of varying sizes for making the dough, filling, and glaze.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measurements of dry and wet ingredients to maintain the balance of flavors.
- Whisk: To blend dry ingredients evenly and prepare the glaze.
- Spatula: A silicone spatula to scrape down the bowl and ensure no ingredient goes to waste.
- Hand or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugar, as well as mixing the cookie dough efficiently.
- Rolling Pin: To flatten the dough to an even thickness for easier assembly.
Baking Equipment
- Baking Sheets: At least two, lined with parchment paper, to bake cookies evenly and prevent sticking.
- Parchment Paper: To protect the baking sheets and facilitate the transfer of cookies.
- Cookie Cutter: A round cutter (approximately 2-3 inches in diameter) to shape the cookies uniformly.
- Pastry Brush: To evenly spread the melted butter for the filling over the rolled dough.
Decorating Essentials
- Cooling Rack: To allow the cookies to cool completely after baking without becoming soggy on the bottom.
- Piping Bag or Spoon: For glazing the cookies neatly.
- Sanding Sugars: Separate containers for arranging purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for decorating.
Optional Tools
- Zester or Grater: If you plan to add a zest of lemon or orange for extra flavor in the glaze.
- Offset Spatula: To help spread the glaze smoothly over the cookies.
Summary Table of Tools
| Category | Tool Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Baking Tools | Mixing Bowls | Mixing ingredients for dough and glaze |
| Measuring Cups & Spoons | Accurate ingredient measurements | |
| Whisk | Blending dry ingredients and glaze | |
| Spatula | Scraping bowls clean | |
| Hand or Stand Mixer | Efficiently creaming and mixing | |
| Rolling Pin | Flattening dough evenly | |
| Baking Equipment | Baking Sheets | Baking cookies evenly |
| Parchment Paper | Preventing sticking and easy cleanup | |
| Cookie Cutter | Shaping uniform cookies | |
| Pastry Brush | Spreading melted butter | |
| Decorating Essentials | Cooling Rack | Ensuring cookies cool completely |
| Piping Bag or Spoon | Applying glaze neatly | |
| Sanding Sugars | Vibrant Mardi Gras decoration | |
| Optional Tools | Zester or Grater | Adding citrus zest to the glaze |
| Offset Spatula | Spreading glaze smoothly |
By gathering these essential tools and equipment, we set ourselves up for a successful baking experience, where precision and creativity come together to make the best King Cake Cookies.
Directions
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making these delightful King Cake Cookies. Follow our detailed instructions to bake like a pro and bring the festive spirit of Mardi Gras into your kitchen.
Prep The Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Set it aside.
- In another bowl, cream ½ cup unsalted butter (softened) and 1 cup granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat until smooth.
- Gradually alternate adding the dry flour mixture and ⅓ cup whole milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Prepare The Filling
- In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Set the filling aside for later use when shaping the cookies.
Shape The Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Divide the chilled dough into small, equal portions (about 1 ½ tablespoons each) and roll them into balls.
- Flatten each dough ball into a circle using your palm or a rolling pin and spoon about ½ teaspoon of the filling mixture into the center.
- Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the filling and pinch to seal, forming a ball again. Place each filled cookie seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Bake The Cookies
- Bake the shaped cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before icing.
Make The Icing
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract. The icing should be smooth and slightly thick. If it’s too thick, add milk, ½ teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Decorate The Cookies
- Drizzle or spread the prepared icing over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag.
- Sprinkle the cookies with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar, the iconic colors of Mardi Gras, while the icing is still wet.
- Optionally, add Mardi Gras-themed decorations or sprinkles for extra flair.
- Allow the icing to set for 15-20 minutes, then serve or store in an airtight container.
| Step | Key Ingredients/Tools | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Prep The Dough | Flour, sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, cinnamon | ~40 minutes (includes chilling) |
| Prepare The Filling | Brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter | ~5 minutes |
| Shape The Cookies | Prepped dough, filling | ~15 minutes |
| Bake The Cookies | Baking sheets, oven (350°F) | 12-15 minutes |
| Make The Icing | Powdered sugar, milk, vanilla | ~5 minutes |
| Decorate The Cookies | Sanding sugar, decorations | ~20 minutes (setting time) |
Make-Ahead Instructions
When preparing King Cake Cookies, making parts of the recipe ahead can save us time and simplify the baking process. Here’s how we can plan in advance without compromising the freshness and flavor of these festive treats:
1. Prepare the Dough in Advance
The cookie dough can be made up to 2 days ahead. After mixing, we wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or seal it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Before rolling it out, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to handle.
2. Freeze the Dough for Extended Storage
If we’re planning even further ahead, the dough can be frozen for up to 3 months:
- Roll the dough into a disc or log shape before freezing for convenience.
- Wrap it in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag for protection from freezer burn.
- When ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight, then bring it to room temperature before rolling and shaping.
3. Filling and Icing Preparations
- Filling: The filling, consisting of melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, can be mixed and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Before using, let it warm slightly to a spreadable consistency.
- Icing: While it’s best to make the icing fresh for optimal texture, we can mix it up to 24 hours ahead. Store it covered in the refrigerator and stir well before using. Add a splash of milk if it thickens.
4. Shape and Freeze Cookies
We can shape the cookies ahead of time:
- After rolling the dough, adding the filling, and sealing the cookies, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze the unbaked cookies in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. These unbaked cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake from frozen, adding about 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
5. Storage After Baking
Baked cookies stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, we can freeze the baked cookies (without icing) for up to 2 months. Simply thaw and add the icing and sanding sugar decoration before serving.
Storage Time Table
| Component | Refrigerator Time | Freezer Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cookie Dough | Up to 2 days | Up to 3 months |
| Filling | Up to 1 week | Not recommended |
| Icing | Up to 24 hours | Not recommended |
| Shaped Unbaked Cookies | Not recommended | Up to 2 months |
| Baked Un-iced Cookies | Up to 4 days | Up to 2 months |
By following these make-ahead steps, we can enjoy stress-free baking and ensure our King Cake Cookies are ready to impress, whether for a Mardi Gras party or a festive dessert.
Tips For Success
Baking King Cake Cookies can be a fun and rewarding process when we follow some handy tips to ensure they turn out perfectly every time. By incorporating these suggestions, we can achieve flawless textures, vibrant decorations, and a stress-free baking experience that leaves everyone impressed.
1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
For the best cookie dough consistency, always use room temperature butter, egg, and milk. This makes it easier to cream the butter and sugar, ensuring the ingredients mix evenly for soft, tender cookies.
2. Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough
Chilling the dough is crucial for easy handling and prevents spreading during baking. After mixing the dough, refrigerate it for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. If you plan to bake later, the dough can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
3. Measure Ingredients Accurately
Accurate measurements are key to baking success. Use measuring cups and spoons for dry and wet ingredients, and consider a kitchen scale for precise flour measurements to avoid dense or crumbly cookies.
4. Roll the Dough Evenly
When rolling out the chilled dough, aim for a consistent thickness of about 1/4 inch. This ensures even baking and prevents overcooked edges. To make this step easier, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
5. Seal the Filling Well
When adding the cinnamon-sugar filling, ensure you seal the edges firmly to prevent it from oozing out during baking. A gentle press with a fork or your fingers will do the trick. This step helps preserve the moist texture of the cookies.
6. Decorate While the Icing is Wet
To achieve the iconic Mardi Gras appearance, sprinkle the purple, green, and gold sanding sugars immediately after glazing. This ensures the decorations stick firmly to the icing for vibrant, festive cookies.
7. Bake Just Right
Overbaking is the most common issue that can ruin the soft texture. Bake the cookies at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remember, cookies continue to set as they cool, so remove them from the oven slightly underbaked.
8. Store Properly
Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain freshness, layer them with parchment paper and avoid stacking with other cookie types that may transfer flavors or moisture.
Quick Reference Table for Key Tips
| Key Step | Time/Details |
|---|---|
| Chill Dough | At least 1 hour or overnight |
| Rolling Thickness | 1/4 inch |
| Oven Temperature | 350°F |
| Baking Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Storage | Airtight container, up to 5 days |
| Freezing Dough (Optional) | Up to 2 months |
9. Experiment with Flavors
Feel free to customize the filling or glaze! Add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling for extra warmth or a few drops of food coloring to the icing for a personalized touch. These small changes can make your King Cake Cookies uniquely yours.
By keeping these Tips For Success in mind, we can ensure our cookies turn out delightfully festive and delicious.
Conclusion
King Cake Cookies bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to life in a fun and delicious way. Their festive colors, warm cinnamon flavor, and soft texture make them a standout treat for any celebration. With the right tools, a bit of preparation, and our detailed recipe, creating these cookies is as enjoyable as eating them.
Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for a unique dessert, these cookies are sure to impress. They’re the perfect blend of tradition and creativity, offering a sweet way to celebrate and share the joy of Mardi Gras.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are King Cake Cookies?
King Cake Cookies are a bite-sized twist on the traditional King Cake, a festive treat associated with Mardi Gras. These cookies feature a cinnamon-spiced filling, a soft cookie base, and colorful decorations, making them a convenient, shareable dessert perfect for celebrations.
What ingredients do I need to make King Cake Cookies?
You’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, whole milk, powdered sugar, and colorful sanding sugar. Additional tools like a rolling pin and piping bag may also be helpful.
Can I make King Cake Cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance or freeze it for longer storage. The unbaked cookies can also be frozen and baked later. Baked cookies should be stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
How do I decorate King Cake Cookies?
Once the cookies are cooled, apply icing made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. While the icing is still wet, sprinkle purple, green, and gold sanding sugar, the traditional Mardi Gras colors, for a festive touch.
Why is chilling the dough important for King Cake Cookies?
Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. This ensures a better shape and texture for your cookies.
How should I store King Cake Cookies?
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Are there any tips for the best results when making King Cake Cookies?
Yes, use room temperature ingredients for better consistency, measure ingredients carefully, roll the dough evenly, seal the filling securely, and decorate while the icing is wet. Follow the baking time closely to maintain a soft texture.
Can I customize the flavor of King Cake Cookies?
Absolutely! You can experiment with additional spices, flavored extracts, or alternative fillings like cream cheese or chocolate to personalize the cookies to your taste.
How much time is needed to make King Cake Cookies?
The entire process, including preparation, baking, and decorating, takes approximately 2-3 hours, depending on the chilling time for the dough. Baking time is relatively quick, typically around 10-12 minutes per batch.
What equipment do I need to make King Cake Cookies?
Key tools include mixing bowls, measuring cups, a hand or stand mixer, a rolling pin, baking sheets, parchment paper, and a cooling rack. Optional tools like a piping bag and offset spatula can simplify decorating.