Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These King Cake Donut Bars are easy to make, colorful, and perfect for parties, brunch, or Mardi Gras celebrations. They have all the cozy cinnamon-sugar flavor of king cake without needing to shape or braid dough.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the bars:
all-purpose flour
granulated sugar
baking powder
salt
milk
eggs
melted butter
vanilla extract
For the cinnamon filling:
brown sugar
ground cinnamon
softened butter
For the glaze:
powdered sugar
milk
vanilla extract
For decorating:
purple sanding sugar
green sanding sugar
gold or yellow sanding sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, mix the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until smooth.
Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture over the batter, then gently swirl it in.
Add the remaining batter on top and smooth it evenly.
Bake until the bars are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the bars cool completely before glazing.
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Spread the glaze over the cooled bars.
Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar. Slice into bars and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 12 bars
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 22 to 28 minutes
Cooling time: 30 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour 15 minutes
Variations
Add a cream cheese swirl for a richer king cake flavor.
Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a bakery-style taste.
Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg to the batter for extra warmth.
Make mini bars by baking the batter in a smaller portioned pan.
Use a thicker glaze for a more frosted finish or a thinner glaze for a drizzle effect.
Storage/Reheating
Store King Cake Donut Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 8 to 12 seconds. Add fresh glaze or extra sanding sugar after reheating if desired.
You can also freeze the bars without glaze for up to 2 months. Thaw, glaze, and decorate before serving.
FAQs
Can I make King Cake Donut Bars ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the bars a day ahead, then glaze and decorate them before serving for the freshest look.
Do these taste like donuts?
They have a soft, sweet, donut-inspired texture with classic cinnamon king cake flavor.
Can I use canned cinnamon roll dough?
Yes, but the texture will be different. This homemade version is more like a soft baked donut bar.
Do I need sanding sugar?
Sanding sugar gives the bars their festive king cake look, but colored sprinkles can also work.
Can I add cream cheese?
Yes. A cream cheese swirl or cream cheese glaze works very well with this recipe.
Should these bars be served warm or cold?
They are best served at room temperature, but they can also be lightly warmed.
Can I make them without eggs?
You can use an egg substitute, but the texture may be slightly softer or denser.
How do I keep the glaze from melting?
Let the bars cool completely before adding the glaze.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Double the ingredients and bake in a larger pan, adjusting the baking time as needed.
Are these good for Mardi Gras parties?
Yes. Their king cake colors and easy bar shape make them perfect for Mardi Gras gatherings.
Conclusion
King Cake Donut Bars are a simple, festive dessert with cinnamon sweetness, soft donut-style texture, and colorful Mardi Gras charm. They are easy to slice, fun to decorate, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
PrintKing Cake Donut Bars
These King Cake Donut Bars are soft, sweet, and packed with warm cinnamon flavor. Finished with a vanilla glaze and festive Mardi Gras colors, they make the perfect party dessert or brunch treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple sanding sugar
- Green sanding sugar
- Gold or yellow sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until smooth.
- Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon filling over the batter and gently swirl.
- Add the remaining batter on top and smooth evenly.
- Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and spread over the cooled bars.
- Decorate with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
- Add a cream cheese swirl for a richer king cake flavor.
- Substitute almond extract for vanilla extract for a bakery-style taste.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the batter for extra warmth.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unglazed bars for up to 2 months and decorate after thawing.
- Warm individual bars in the microwave for 8 to 12 seconds before serving if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
