Mardi Gras King Cake Wreath

Last year, I was scrolling through my phone at midnight on Fat Tuesday, panic-stricken because I'd promised to bring something festive to a Mardi Gras party the next morning. Then it hit me: what if I made a king cake but made it ridiculously easy by using cinnamon rolls as the base? I raided my freezer, grabbed two cans of the refrigerated dough, and spent the next twenty minutes twisting and overlapping them into a wreath shape. The smell that came out of my oven was pure magic, and honestly, everyone at the party thought I'd spent all day on it.

My sister's youngest kept asking if we were going to make something that looked like a actual crown for the party. I remember how her face lit up when the wreath came out of the oven golden and twisted, almost like it had been braided by hand. She declared it was the fanciest dessert she'd ever seen, and I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd used store-bought cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (2 cans, 8 oz each) with icing: This is your shortcut to success, and honestly, there's no shame in it—the dough rises beautifully and comes with its own sweetness built in.
• Unsalted butter (2 tbsp, melted): Brush this onto each unrolled strip to help the brown sugar and cinnamon stick and deepen the flavor as it bakes.
• Light brown sugar (3 tbsp): This adds a subtle molasses depth that regular granulated sugar can't quite match.
• Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): Don't skimp here—it's what makes this taste like a real king cake and not just a cinnamon roll circle.
• Reserved icing from the cinnamon roll cans: Save every bit of that included icing because it's your glossy base for the colored sugars.
• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar or sprinkles: These are what make it Mardi Gras; use whichever colors speak to you, but the trio feels right.
• Small plastic baby figurine (optional): This is the traditional king cake surprise, and if you use one, make absolutely sure it's food-safe and warn your guests before they dig in.

Instructions

Dries dishes, utensils, and cookware neatly after cooking, keeping your countertop organized and clutter free.

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Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 350°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper so cleanup is effortless and nothing sticks.

Open and unroll:

Pop open those cinnamon roll cans (careful of the spring-loaded lids) and gently unroll each roll into a long strip, keeping the filling intact.

Enhance the filling:

Brush each unrolled strip with melted butter, then sprinkle generously with brown sugar and cinnamon, pressing it gently so it adheres and caramelizes in the oven.

Build your wreath:

Gently twist each strip and begin laying them in a circle on your prepared baking sheet, overlapping the pieces and pinching the ends together to create one continuous ring. Don't worry if it looks imperfect—that's actually more charming.

Bake until golden:

Pop it in the oven for 22 to 25 minutes, watching until the edges turn golden brown and you can smell that cinnamon-caramel aroma filling your kitchen.

Cool before glazing:

Let it sit on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes so it holds together but is still warm enough for the icing to melt slightly into the crevices.

Glaze and decorate:

Drizzle the reserved icing over the entire warm wreath in a gentle zigzag, then immediately sprinkle the purple, green, and gold sugars in alternating sections while the icing is still wet so they stick.

Add the surprise (optional):

If you're using a plastic baby figurine for tradition, tuck it gently under one of the rolls after baking and before serving, and definitely warn your guests.

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There's something almost ceremonial about watching people gather around this wreath at a party, each one trying to grab the piece with the purple sugar or debating which section is the prettiest. It stops being just a dessert and becomes part of the celebration itself.

When to Make This (and Why the Timing Matters)

This is obviously perfect for Mardi Gras, but I've made it for random February Tuesdays when I wanted to feel festive, and for surprise breakfast celebrations when I wanted to feel fancy without the effort. It's the kind of thing that works when you have about an hour free and you want people to think you've planned something special. The beauty is that you can prep it the night before by doing all the unrolling and flavoring, then just pop it in the oven in the morning.

Making It Your Own

Once you nail the basic wreath, you can play with what goes in between the cinnamon rolls. I've added chopped pecans for texture, a thin cream cheese spread for richness, and even a touch of bourbon once (though that's definitely grown-up Mardi Gras energy). The core recipe is forgiving enough that you can experiment without ruining the whole thing. Just remember that any additions should be thin enough not to prevent the rolls from sticking together in that beautiful wreath formation.

Serving Suggestions and Storage

Serve this warm or at room temperature with strong black coffee or chicory coffee if you want the full New Orleans experience. It lasts about two days covered loosely at room temperature, and honestly, it might not last that long depending on who you're serving it to. If you do have leftovers, reheat gently in a 300°F oven for just a few minutes to restore that gooey center without drying things out.

• Pair it with chicory coffee for an authentic NOLA breakfast moment.
• Make it the night before and just bake it fresh on party day for maximum convenience.
• If you don't love the plastic baby tradition, the wreath is stunning and delicious on its own.

Deep clean greasy stovetops, countertops, sinks, and tiles using powerful steam after everyday cooking.

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This wreath has become my go-to when I want to celebrate something without overthinking it. There's real joy in a dessert that looks spectacular, tastes incredible, and doesn't require you to be a baker to pull it off.

Recipe FAQs

→ What dough works best for this wreath?

Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough provides a soft, flavorful base that's ready to bake, making preparation quick and easy.

→ How do I create the cinnamon filling for extra flavor?

Brush melted butter over unrolled strips, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon to add rich, sweet layers inside.

→ What is the purpose of the colorful sugars on top?

Purple, green, and gold sugars add festive colors traditionally associated with Mardi Gras, enhancing both appearance and sweetness.

→ Can I add nuts or cream cheese to the filling?

Yes, chopped pecans or cream cheese can be incorporated before rolling for a richer texture and flavor.

→ How long should the wreath bake for?

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 22 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

→ Is there a traditional element included in this treat?

Optionally, a small plastic baby figurine can be tucked into the wreath after baking, echoing Mardi Gras customs.