King Cake Cookies

A traditional king cake is a labor of love, but these cookies deliver all its festive spirit in a fraction of the time. Soft and cinnamon-warmed, glazed and sprinkled in the traditional purple, green, and gold, they capture the flavor and joy of a New Orleans king cake in an easy, shareable cookie. When Mardi Gras rolls around and you want the celebration without the all-day bake, these are the sweet, colorful answer — Carnival in a single happy bite.

The Cinnamon Cookie Dough

Build a soft, cinnamon-scented cookie dough that echoes the warm flavor of a classic king cake. The cinnamon is what makes these taste like the real thing, so measure it generously — it gives the cookies that cozy, spiced warmth at the heart of every king cake.

The Festive Glaze and Sprinkles

Once the cookies are baked and cooled, finish them with a sweet glaze and the traditional purple, green, and gold sprinkles. This colorful finish is what makes them unmistakably king cake cookies — the glaze sets to a pretty sheen and the Carnival colors bring all the festive joy of the season.

Jorj Morgan

King Cake Cookies

Celebrate Mardi Gras with these irresistible King Cake Cookies, each soft, rich bite bursting with vanilla-lemon glaze and vibrant color. They bring the joyous spirit of Carnival straight to your table, inviting smiles and happy indulgence.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10 cookies (4-inch)

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients for Cookies

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients for Cookies

• 1/3 cup milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

The Finishing Glaze

• 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
• Sanding sugar in yellow purple, and green

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Line two professional baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a small ceramic bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until uniform.

Developing the Base

1. In a separate bowl, stir together 1/3 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract.
2. Utilizing an electric mixer, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy, approximately 1 minute.
3. Incorporate the egg until fully blended in.

The Mix

1. With the motor on low speed, add half of the flour mixture followed by half of the flavored milk.
2. When combined, stir in the remaining flour and finish with the remaining liquid.
3. Mix only until the dough is cohesive to maintain the delicate domed structure.

Portioning & Bake

1. Utilizing a 1.5-inch stainless steel scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring even spacing.
2. Bake for approximately 15 minutes until the cookies just begin to brown on the edges and achieve a cake-like rise.
3. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before glazing.

The Finishing Glaze

1. Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and remaining extracts until smooth and pourable.
2. Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the glaze.
3. Immediately sprinkle with yellow, purple, and green sugars to ensure the Carnival colors adhere perfectly to the fresh glaze.