Mardi Gras is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a season of pure joy, vibrant colors, and, of course, delicious food! While nothing beats a traditional New Orleans king cake, sometimes you need a quick and easy way to bring the celebration home, especially when you have little ones who want to join in on the fun. That’s where this recipe for Easy DIY Mini King Cakes comes in. And the kids (and maybe the grown-ups) have just as much fun making them as they do eating them.
So, if you’re looking for a simple, fun, and festive way to celebrate Mardi Gras, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get baking!

A Semi-Homemade Mardi Gras Delight
What I love most about this recipe is that it’s semi-homemade, which means you get that wonderful from-scratch feeling without all the work. The secret ingredient? Pillsbury Grand Cinnamon Rolls! They provide the perfect base for our mini king cakes, making this recipe incredibly simple and practically foolproof.
This is a fantastic activity for a Mardi Gras party or a fun afternoon with the kids. They can help with everything from braiding the dough to sprinkling the colored sugar.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own mini king cakes:
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
- 1 can of Pillsbury Grand Cinnamon Rolls
- 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon of milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Your Oven: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Braid the Dough: Open the can of cinnamon rolls and separate them. Unroll each one and then fold it in half lengthwise. Gently twist the two halves together to form a braid, and then connect the ends to create a small circle.

Bake to Perfection: Place your mini king cakes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Cool and Decorate: Let the cakes cool completely before decorating. While they’re cooling, mix the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls with the powdered sugar and milk. Once the cakes have cooled, drizzle the icing over them and sprinkle generously with the purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.


And there you have it – your very own batch of adorable and delicious mini king cakes! They are a wonderful way to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras into your home, wherever you are. I hope you and your family have as much fun making and eating these as we do.
Happy Mardi Gras!
Easy DIY Mini King Cakes

A fun and festive Mardi Gras treat made easy with Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. Perfect for celebrating with kids!
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Grand Cinnamon Rolls
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for decorating
Instructions
Notes
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is a careful estimate and should be considered an approximation. The values can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used, any substitutions, and the exact amount of decorative sugar applied.
Nutrition Information
Yield
5Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 365Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 6gCholesterol <5mgSodium 742mgCarbohydrates 59gFiber 2gSugar 33gProtein 5g
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