Mardi Gras King Cake Wreath

The first time I made this, I was standing in my kitchen on a gray February afternoon, staring at two cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls like they held some kind of secret. My neighbor had casually mentioned wanting something festive for Mardi Gras, and instead of overthinking it, I just started twisting. What emerged from the oven an hour later was this golden, sticky wreath that somehow felt both silly and genuinely impressive, and I realized that sometimes the best celebrations come from the simplest shortcuts.

I'll never forget watching my kids' faces when they saw the finished wreath surrounded by those purple, green, and gold sparkles. They immediately started arguing about who got which colored section, and it hit me that food doesn't need to be complicated to create a real moment. That wreath became the centerpiece of our kitchen for the whole afternoon, and we kept sneaking bites straight from the counter.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (2 cans, 8 oz each): This is your foundation, and honestly, using the premade stuff means you can focus on making it special instead of fussing with yeast and rising times.
• Unsalted butter, melted (2 tbsp): The brush of butter adds richness and helps the brown sugar and cinnamon stick without making things overly heavy.
• Light brown sugar (3 tbsp): This deepens the flavor beyond what the rolls already have, adding subtle caramel notes that make people ask what your secret ingredient is.
• Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): A gentle boost that reminds you this is still a cinnamon roll at heart, just dressed up in celebration clothes.
• Reserved icing from the cinnamon roll cans: Don't toss those little packets, they're the glue that holds your wreath together and adds that iconic sweetness.
• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar or sprinkles: These are what transform this from a regular pastry into something that screams festive, so don't skimp on the color.
• Optional plastic baby figurine (food-safe): A nod to King Cake tradition, though honestly, you can skip this if you'd rather keep things simple.

Instructions

Set your stage:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps you from any sticky situations later and makes cleanup almost guilt-free.

Free the rolls:

Open those cinnamon roll cans (that little pop always makes me smile) and carefully separate each roll. Unroll them gently into long strips, being patient so they don't tear.

Add your flavor boost:

Brush each strip lightly with melted butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. You're not drowning them, just giving them a little whisper of extra richness.

Form the wreath:

Here's where it gets fun, twist each strip gently and arrange them in a large circle on your baking sheet, overlapping as you go. Pinch the ends together to create one continuous wreath and admire your work.

Bake until golden:

Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until everything is golden brown and cooked through. Your kitchen will smell incredible, and you'll be fighting the urge to peek too many times.

Cool slightly:

Let the wreath rest on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes so it sets enough to handle the icing without falling apart.

Ice while warm:

Drizzle that reserved icing evenly over the warm wreath, letting it pool and drip naturally into all the crevices.

Make it festive:

Immediately sprinkle the icing with purple, green, and gold sugars in alternating sections so the colors don't muddy together. Work quickly while the icing is still tacky so everything sticks.

Optional final touch:

If you're using a food-safe plastic baby, gently tuck it under one of the rolls after baking and definitely warn your guests before they bite into it.

Save

There was a moment last Mardi Gras when my sister bit into a slice and closed her eyes, and I realized this wasn't just about the taste. It was about taking something that could have been ordinary and making it feel like a celebration, like we'd done something special together even though we both knew it took thirty minutes. That's when food becomes more than breakfast, it becomes a story.

The Magic of Shortcuts

I used to feel guilty using refrigerated dough until I realized that the shortcut wasn't cheating, it was smart. Using premade cinnamon rolls lets you focus on the fun part, which is the assembly and decoration. The real magic happens when you take something familiar and transform it into something that looks homemade and feels intentional, which is exactly what this wreath does.

Timing and Temperature Matter

The difference between underbaked and perfectly golden is about three minutes, so set a timer and stick around. I learned this the hard way when I got distracted and came back to slightly pale rolls that needed another few minutes. Also, 350°F is lower than you might expect, but it's perfect for cinnamon rolls because it lets them cook through without the edges burning while the center is still doughy.

Making It Your Own

The beauty of this recipe is that it's a framework, not a rulebook. I've made versions with chopped pecans tucked into the filling, and another time I mixed cream cheese into the butter for richness. The structure stays the same, but you get to decide how fancy you want to go.

• If you want extra decadence, brush the rolls with a cream cheese mixture instead of plain butter.
• Serve this warm with strong chicory coffee for a proper New Orleans experience.
• Make sure anyone with a plastic baby hidden inside knows what they're looking for before they bite.

Save

This wreath has become my go-to when I want to celebrate without spending hours in the kitchen. It's proof that sometimes the best memories come from the simplest things, especially when they're shared with people you love.

Recipe FAQ

→ What dough is used for the wreath?

Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough provides a soft, sweet base that's easy to shape into the wreath form.

→ How is the flavor enhanced inside the wreath?

Each strip is brushed with melted butter, then sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon before twisting and arranging.

→ What gives the wreath its iconic Mardi Gras colors?

The wreath is sprinkled with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars after drizzling with icing, creating the festive look.

→ Can this wreath be served warm or cold?

It’s best served slightly warm after icing is drizzled to enjoy the gooey texture and fresh flavors.

→ Are there traditional symbols included with this creation?

An optional small plastic baby figurine may be tucked inside to honor Mardi Gras tradition and add a playful touch.

→ What serving suggestions complement the wreath?

Pair with coffee or chicory for a classic New Orleans flavor experience that enhances the wreath's richness.