What’s the difference between a king cake and a cinnamon roll?

A traditional king cake is a yeast-based pastry shaped like a ring and decorated with vibrant sugars, while a cinnamon roll is a spiraled sweet bread filled with cinnamon-sugar. The cinnamon roll king cake recipe blends the two—combining the texture of a cinnamon roll with the colors and tradition of a king cake.

Why put heavy cream on cinnamon rolls before baking?

Heavy cream adds moisture and richness. In a cinnamon roll king cake recipe, it helps caramelize the sugar and creates a gooey, almost custard-like base that keeps the rolls soft and flavorful.

What is the rule of the king’s cake?

Tradition says the person who finds the plastic baby inside must host the next party or buy the next cake. In the cinnamon roll king cake recipe, always add the baby after baking to avoid melting hazards.

What is the most popular king cake filling?

Cream cheese is by far the most popular, often paired with fruit jams like strawberry or raspberry. It’s the most requested variation in any cinnamon roll king cake recipe for its smooth texture and rich flavor.

What is the secret ingredient in Cinnabon?

Cinnabon uses a special variety of cinnamon called Makara from Indonesia. While it's not required in a cinnamon roll king cake recipe, using a high-quality cinnamon makes a noticeable flavor difference.

Is there a difference between heavy cream and heavy whipping cream?

Yes. Heavy cream has a slightly higher fat content (36%) compared to heavy whipping cream (30–35%), which makes it better for baking. For a moist and gooey cinnamon roll king cake recipe, heavy cream is the preferred choice.

Cinnamon Roll King Cake Recipe – The Best Mardi Gras Treat

Ingredients

Scale

2 cans refrigerated cinnamon roll dough
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup softened cream cheese (optional)
2 tbsp jam or Nutella (optional filling)
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp heavy cream (for glaze)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Flatten cinnamon rolls slightly and arrange in a wreath shape, overlapping edges.
If using filling, mix softened cream cheese with jam or spread and spoon between rolls. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Pour heavy cream evenly over the dough ring.
Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
Let cool 10 minutes before icing. If using a baby figurine, insert it from the bottom now.
Mix powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to make glaze. Drizzle over cooled cake.
Decorate immediately with sanding sugars in purple, green, and gold.

Notes

For extra flavor, add chopped pecans or orange zest. Always insert the baby after baking, not before.

Author: Mike
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: Southern, American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 320
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 310mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 41g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: cinnamon roll, king cake, Mardi Gras, dessert, easy bake