Introduction

King Cake Bites are a delightful bite-sized treat inspired by the traditional New Orleans King Cake. These flaky crescent dough pockets filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with colorful sanding sugar bring festive flavor to any occasion.

Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk
3 tablespoons sanding sugar (purple, yellow, and green)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Mix with the paddle attachment until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Unroll the first can of crescent roll dough and tear it into four rectangles.
Step 4: Crimp the perforated lines down the middle of each rectangle by pinching them with your fingers.
Step 5: Sprinkle about 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon evenly over each rectangle.
Step 6: Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture down the center of the first rectangle.
Step 7: Fold the rectangle over the filling by folding one side about one-third over, then fold the other side over like an envelope.
Step 8: Turn the roll over and crimp the edges firmly with your fingers to seal.
Step 9: Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 3 pieces. Crimp any open edges again and place each piece seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 10: Repeat the process with the second can of crescent dough, using a separate baking sheet if needed.
Step 11: Bake the king cake bites in the oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 12: Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes.
Step 13: While cooling, mix the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl until you have a thick, smooth glaze.
Step 14: Spoon the glaze over each bite and immediately sprinkle with purple, yellow, and green sanding sugars to finish.

Tips & Variations

For a richer filling, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of nutmeg to the cream cheese mixture.
Use mini muffin tins to bake these treats for a more uniform shape and easier handling.
Substitute the sanding sugars with colored sprinkles if desired, but the classic purple, yellow, and green represent Mardi Gras colors.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened well beforehand for easier mixing and a smoother filling.

Storage

Store 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 for a few minutes before serving to refresh the texture. The glaze is best added just before serving to keep it from melting away.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cream cheese filling a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before using for easier spreading.

What can I use if I don’t have sanding sugar?

If you don’t have sanding sugar, colored sugar crystals or regular colored sprinkles work well as a substitute. Simply sprinkle them over the glaze before it sets.

King Cake Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

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King Cake Bites are delightful, bite-sized treats inspired by the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake. Featuring a soft crescent roll dough filled with a creamy cinnamon-sugar cream cheese mixture, these bite-sized pastries are baked to golden perfection and topped with a sweet glaze and festive colored sanding sugars, making them perfect for any celebration or festive gathering.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 King Cake Bites 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crescent Roll Dough

2 (8 Ounce) Cans Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough

Filling

1 (8 Ounce) Block Cream Cheese (softened)
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Glaze and Topping

1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 teaspoons Milk
3 Tablespoons Sanding Sugar (Purple, Yellow, and Green)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the King Cake Bites.
Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed with the paddle attachment until smooth and creamy, creating the sweet, cinnamon-flavored filling.
Unroll Crescent Dough: Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and separate it into four rectangles by tearing along the perforated lines.
Crimp Perforations: Firmly pinch the perforated lines of each rectangle to seal them, preventing the filling from leaking during baking.
Sprinkle Cinnamon: Lightly sprinkle about 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon over each rectangle to infuse extra flavor.
Fill the Dough Rectangles: Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture down the center of one rectangle.
Fold Dough Over Filling: Fold one side of the rectangle over the filling about one-third of the way, then fold the other side over like an envelope to enclose the filling completely.
Seal Edges: Turn the folded roll over and crimp the edges with your fingers to seal in the filling securely.
Slice into Bites: Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into three equal pieces. Crimp any open edges and place the pieces seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Repeat with Remaining Dough: Repeat steps 3 through 9 with the second can of crescent dough and the remaining cream cheese filling. Use a second baking sheet if necessary.
Bake: Bake both sheets of King Cake Bites in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the bites to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before glazing.
Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with milk until a thick, smooth glaze forms.
Glaze and Decorate: Spoon the glaze over each King Cake Bite generously, then sprinkle with the purple, yellow, and green sanding sugars for a festive Mardi Gras look.

Notes

Make sure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
Use colored sanding sugars to replicate the traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple, green, and gold/yellow.
For larger servings, you can double the recipe easily.
Store King Cake Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
These bites can be reheated briefly in the microwave for a warm treat.
You can add a tiny plastic baby figurine inside one of the bites to keep with King Cake tradition.

Keywords: King Cake Bites, Mardi Gras dessert, cream cheese pastry, crescent roll dessert, festive bite-sized treats