Easy King Cake Bites Recipe

Introduction

These easy King Cake Bites capture the festive flavors of the classic Mardi Gras treat in a simple, bite-sized form. Cream cheese filling and cinnamon-spiced dough come together for a delightful sweet snack perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

• 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar (divided)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 (8-oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
• 2 Tbsp milk
• Yellow, green, and purple colored sugar for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar and lemon juice until well blended and smooth.
3. Step 3: Separate the crescent dough into 8 rectangles, sealing any seams. Lightly sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon evenly over each rectangle.
4. Step 4: Spread the cream cheese mixture down the center of each rectangle. Fold each rectangle lengthwise into thirds, bringing the long edges up to cover the filling. Cut each folded rectangle into 4 squares, then place them seam-side down on a baking sheet.
5. Step 5: Bake the bites for 13 to 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Let them cool slightly before handling.
6. Step 6: Mix the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar with milk until smooth. Spread this glaze over the warm bites and sprinkle generously with the yellow, green, and purple colored sugars for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a citrus twist, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the cream cheese filling.
• Use flavored cream cheese (like strawberry or honey) to vary the taste.
• Swap crescent rolls for puff pastry for a flakier texture.
• Adjust the cinnamon amount to your preference for more or less spice.

Storage

Store leftover King Cake Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave for a few seconds to refresh the texture before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bites ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the King Cake Bites and refrigerate them before baking. Bake fresh when ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.

What if I don’t have colored sugar for topping?

You can substitute colored sugar with sanding sugar, sprinkles, or simply dust with cinnamon sugar for a tasty alternative.

Easy King Cake Bites Recipe

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4.9 from 55 reviews

These Easy King Cake Bites are delightful, bite-sized treats inspired by the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake. Featuring a creamy cinnamon and cream cheese filling wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, they are baked to golden perfection and topped with sweet glaze and festive colored sugars for a vibrant finish. Perfect for parties or festive occasions, these bites deliver classic flavors in a fun and convenient form.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 32 King Cake Bites 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Filling

• 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cinnamon

For the Dough

• 2 (8-oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls

For the Glaze and Topping

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp milk
• yellow, green, purple colored sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the King Cake Bites until golden brown.
2. Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, and lemon juice using a mixer until well blended and creamy.
3. Prepare Dough: Separate each can of crescent roll dough into 8 rectangles and seal the seams to prevent leaking. Lightly sprinkle each rectangle with about ¼ teaspoon cinnamon evenly across their surface.
4. Add Filling and Fold: Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture down the center lengthwise of each cinnamon-sprinkled rectangle. Fold each rectangle lengthwise into thirds, bringing the long edges up to cover the cream cheese filling completely. Cut each folded rectangle into 4 squares and place seam side down on a baking sheet.
5. Bake: Bake the prepared rolls in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown on top. Remove and allow to cool slightly before adding the glaze.
6. Prepare Glaze and Decorate: Combine the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk to create a smooth glaze. Spread the glaze evenly over the slightly cooled King Cake Bites, then sprinkle generously with yellow, green, and purple colored sugar for a festive Mardi Gras finish.

Notes

• You can substitute lemon juice with orange juice for a different citrus flavor.
• Make sure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
• For extra crispiness, bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• To keep the bites fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Colored sugars can be found at most baking supply stores or online, or you can make your own by mixing granulated sugar with a few drops of food coloring.

Keywords: King Cake Bites, Mardi Gras dessert, cream cheese filling, cinnamon crescent rolls, festive treats, bite-sized desserts