King Cake with Cream Cheese Cinnamon Filling

Courtesy of Holly Clegg for Louisiana Cookin

 

Here in New Orleans we know how to incorporate food into just about anything and Mardi Gras is surely no exception. Dressed up in green, yellow, and purple, King Cakes are not only a tasty tradition, they symbolize the history of Mardi Gras, the Twelfth Night celebrations, and propagating the party. Here is one rendition of this traditional festive treat. 

Photo below by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee.

 

Serves 16

 

2 8-ounce cans reduced-fat crescent rolls

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Mardi Gras Icing, as needed (recipe follows)

 

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 to 2 tablespoons skim milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

yellow, green, red, and blue food coloring

 

 

 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 10-inch round pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray. Separate crescent rolls at perforations, into 16 slices. Place slices around prepared pan with points in the center.

 

About halfway down from points, press seams of individual rolls together to form a joined circle of rolls. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Spread on dough in the center where seams have been pressed together.

 

In another small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over cream cheese. Fold dough points over filling, then fold bottom of triangle over points, forming a circular roll like a king cake. The filling should be completely covered by the crescent rolls at this point.

 

Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and drizzle with colored Mardi Gras Icing.

 

Mardi Gras Icing: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except food coloring. Divide mixture into 3 bowls. In first bowl, add a few drops of yellow food coloring. In second bowl, add a few drops of green food coloring. In third bowl, add equal drops of red and blue food coloring to create purple. Drizzle over baked cake.