Bead-Throwing Mardi Gras King Cake Cookies

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Festive sugar cookies inspired by Mardi Gras King Cake, decorated with vibrant purple, green, and gold sugar crystals and a hidden cinnamon filling for a sweet surprise. This french-inspired mardi gras ready in about 34 minutes layers unsalted butter, granulated sugar, large egg into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 14 min Serves 24 French cuisine 150 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup brown sugar for the filling.
  6. Step 6: Roll dough into 1-inch balls (about 2 tbsp each). Flatten each ball into a 3-inch circle on parchment-lined sheets. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp cinnamon-sugar mixture in the center, then fold edges over to encase the filling, resealing into a ball and flattening slightly.
  7. Step 7: Bake cookies for 12-14 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
  8. Step 8: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp milk to make icing. Drizzle icing over cooled cookies.
  9. Step 9: Immediately sprinkle purple, green, and gold sugar crystals in stripes over icing to mimic Mardi Gras colors. Let icing set before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bead-Throwing Mardi Gras King Cake Cookies take to make?

Total time is about 34 minutes (20 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Bead-Throwing Mardi Gras King Cake Cookies?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bead-Throwing Mardi Gras King Cake Cookies?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bead-Throwing Mardi Gras King Cake Cookies for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Bead-Throwing Mardi Gras King Cake Cookies?

French mardi gras like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes