King Cake-Inspired Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender coffee cake with swirls of cinnamon, sugar, and colorful sugar sprinkles that evoke the festive spirit of a Mardi Gras King Cake. This american-inspired mardi gras ready in about 60 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 8 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 cup whole milk, 2 large eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir gently until just combined.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Pour half the batter into the pan, then sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over it.
  4. Step 4: Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar, then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on top. Using a butter knife, swirl the batter gently to create a marbled effect.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool 15 minutes in pan before transferring to a wire rack.
  6. Step 6: To make glaze, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake and immediately sprinkle 1/4 cup mixed colored sanding sugar (green, purple, gold) on top to mimic King Cake decorations.

Frequently asked questions

How long does King Cake-Inspired Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover King Cake-Inspired Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in King Cake-Inspired Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake?

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 King Cake-Inspired Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 King Cake-Inspired Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake?

American 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.

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