If you’ve never tried a King Cake, you’re missing out. What is it exactly? It’s a traditional pastry from New Orleans eaten around Mardi Gras between January 6, otherwise known as King’s Day or Twelfth Night, and Fat Tuesday. It’s typically made of brioche dough and a wide array of fillings (cinnamon, chocolate, and marzipan) but the magic is found in the glaze and sprinkles, which are usually gold, green, and purple. Even the colors of the icing (and royal colors of Mardi Gras) have a deeper meaning. Gold represents power, green faith, and purple justice. King cake is baked like a wreath and buried inside the batter is a tiny, plastic baby figurine but because it’s a choking hazard, I place mine underneath a slice so the person who picks out that slice is the lucky one.
So why is there a baby? Some believe the baby symbolizes Baby Jesus because of the religious connection to King’s Day but others believe the popular New Orleans lore, which says that an elaborate cake was served with a bean or ring placed inside during the commemoration of the king’s ball in colonial Louisiana. Whoever found the bean or trinket in their slice of cake would be crowned the king or queen of the balls leading up to the lavish finale on Mardi Gras. Fun! In my house, it means you get the last slice.
So I’ve had some amazing vegan King Cake in New Orleans and my favorite was the almond flavored kind. So in my easy recipe we’re using store bought cinnamon rolls, some almond paste and almond extract added to the premade icing packet. Easy peasy. Check out my video on assembly and “let the good times roll”!
Easy Vegan King Cake
12
servings15
minutes20
minutesA delicious and super easy vegan king cake made with store bought cinnamon rolls!
Ingredients
2 packages vegan cinnamon rolls (jumbo preferred)
almond paste or marzipan (approximately 1/4 cup)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
colored sugar (gold, green and purple)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°. Open the packs of cinnamon rolls and roll then entire connected piece open to expose the middle. Crumble pieces of almond paste or marzipan over the inside of the rolls then re-roll into a tube like how it came out of the pack. Do the same with the second package. Separate the rolls and arrange as a ring on a parchment lined or greased round pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on your oven) until done and let cool.
- Open the icing packets and place into a bowl. Add the almond extract and mix to combine.
- Drizzle icing over the cake and then decorate with colored sugars if desired and hide the plastic baby or a dried bean under a slice.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Use your favorite vegan cinnamon rolls. Lots of store brands as well as Annie’s are vegan friendly.
- You can find almond paste at most grocery stores and even Walmart or online.
- Vegan colored sugars are available at Whole Foods Market or online.
- Small plastic babies can be purchased at some party supply stores and online or you can use a dried bean!
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This was so easy and fun for “Fat Tuesday”!! I never had King Cake before, but we all enjoyed this. The almond paste adds such a nice flavor and I think this will become a tradition now.
The almond paste takes it to the next level, so glad you enjoyed it!
I haven’t been able to find vegan cinnamon rolls. What brand do you use?
Hi there! There’s Annie’s brand which is also sometimes at Costco, lots of store brands, Immaculate Baking, Trader Joe’s brand and more. Often a web search will help in your search. Thanks!