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King Cake Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 81 reviews

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.

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

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the King Cake Bites.
  2. 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.
  3. Unroll Crescent Dough: Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and separate it into four rectangles by tearing along the perforated lines.
  4. Crimp Perforations: Firmly pinch the perforated lines of each rectangle to seal them, preventing the filling from leaking during baking.
  5. Sprinkle Cinnamon: Lightly sprinkle about 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon over each rectangle to infuse extra flavor.
  6. Fill the Dough Rectangles: Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture down the center of one rectangle.
  7. 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.
  8. Seal Edges: Turn the folded roll over and crimp the edges with your fingers to seal in the filling securely.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. Bake: Bake both sheets of King Cake Bites in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
  12. Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the bites to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before glazing.
  13. Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with milk until a thick, smooth glaze forms.
  14. 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

Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/king-cake-bites-recipe/