A tray of king cake bites glazed with icing and sprinkled with purple, green, and gold sugar, shot in natural light.
King cake bites are the quick, bite-size way to bring Mardi Gras flavor to your kitchen.
Soft dough wraps a sweet cinnamon-cream cheese filling, then bakes up golden and fluffy. A
simple vanilla glaze and colorful sugar make these king cake bites party-ready in no time.
Introduction
If you love king cake but don’t want a big project, king cake bites are your new best
friend. You get that cinnamon-sugar goodness in cute little bites.
The standout detail here is the creamy cinnamon filling. It stays soft inside the dough, so
every bite tastes cozy and sweet—perfect for brunch or dessert.
These king cake bites are always a hit at parties. They look festive, they’re easy to grab,
and everyone asks for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This King Cake Bites
- Mardi Gras vibes, no stress: All the fun without shaping a full cake.
- Soft and cozy: Creamy cinnamon filling stays gooey and satisfying.
- Quick bake: Perfect for last-minute guests or weekend treats.
- Festive and customizable: Change the sprinkles, add citrus, or make it extra sweet.
- Great for sharing: Easy finger food for brunch tables and party platters.
Ingredients for the Best King Cake Bites
Bites
- Crescent roll dough (2 tubes (8 oz each)): Fast shortcut dough that bakes soft and fluffy. Substitutions: Use pizza dough for a more bread-like bite.
- Cream cheese, softened (8 oz): Makes the filling creamy and rich. Substitutions: Use mascarpone for extra smoothness.
- Packed brown sugar (1/3 cup): Adds caramel sweetness. Substitutions: Use granulated sugar.
- Ground cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): Classic warm spice. Substitutions: Add a pinch of nutmeg.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the filling flavor. Substitutions: Use vanilla bean paste.
- Pinch of salt (1/8 teaspoon): Balances sweetness. Substitutions: Skip if your dough is salty.
Glaze + Topping
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Creates a smooth vanilla glaze. Substitutions: Sift if lumpy for smoothest drizzle.
- Milk (2–3 tablespoons): Thins glaze to drizzle consistency. Substitutions: Use half-and-half for richer glaze.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds flavor to the glaze. Substitutions: Add a little lemon juice for brightness.
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar (as needed): Classic Mardi Gras look. Substitutions: Use colored sprinkles.
King Cake Bites Recipe Step-by-Step
- 1. Heat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Mix filling: stir cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until smooth and spreadable.
- 3. Unroll dough and pinch seams to form rectangles. Spread filling evenly, leaving a small border so it doesn’t squeeze out.
- 4. Roll dough into a tight log. Slice into 1-inch bites and place cut-side up on the baking sheet with a little space between.
- 5. Bake 11–13 minutes until golden and puffed. Cool 5 minutes so the glaze doesn’t melt right off.
- 6. Whisk glaze: powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash more milk until it drizzles.
- 7. Drizzle glaze over warm bites and immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar.
- 8. Serve warm or room temperature. They’re dangerously snackable.
Tips for Perfect King Cake Bites
- Soften cream cheese so the filling spreads easily without lumps.
- Pinch dough seams well so the filling stays inside while baking.
- Cool a few minutes before glazing so icing clings instead of disappearing.
- For clean slices, use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts.
- If glaze is too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar.
Tips and Variations for King Cake Bites
- Citrus glaze: Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to the icing for brightness.
- Nutty: Sprinkle chopped pecans over filling before rolling.
- Extra cinnamon: Add a pinch more cinnamon to the filling for stronger flavor.
- Mini lazy cake: Bake as a single log and slice after baking, then glaze and sprinkle.
- Holiday twist: Swap Mardi Gras sugar for seasonal sprinkles any time of year.
Make-Ahead & Freezing
Refrigerate king cake bites in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat 10–15 seconds in
the microwave to soften. Freeze unglazed bites for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature,
warm briefly, then glaze and sprinkle fresh.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Serve for Mardi Gras brunch with coffee and fruit.
- Add to a dessert board with cookies and chocolate.
- Perfect for potlucks and parties because they travel well.
- Set out extra colored sugar so everyone can decorate their own.
Reader Review: These king cake bites were a total hit. Soft, gooey, and the colorful sugar made them look so festive with almost no effort.
If you make this king cake bites, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a rating, drop a
comment, and share it with a friend. How would you customize your king cake bites—extra
spicy, extra tangy, or loaded with your favorite add-ins?