King Cake-Inspired Cinnamon Swirl Pull-Apart Bread

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A sweet, pull-apart bread filled with cinnamon sugar and colored sugar sprinkles inspired by the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake flavors. This french-inspired mardi gras ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, warm whole milk, granulated sugar 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 320 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup, 110°F warm whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 6 tbsp, melted plus 2 tbsp for brushing unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup mixed purple, green, and gold colored sanding sugar
• 1 cup, for glaze powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp whole milk for glaze

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm whole milk at 110°F with 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Whisk in 2 large eggs, 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Gradually mix in 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tbsp melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with 3 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup mixed purple, green, and gold sanding sugar.
5. Step 5: Cut the dough into 1.5-inch strips, then stack and slice into 1.5-inch squares. Place the squares into a greased bundt pan, stacking loosely.
6. Step 6: Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and cooked through.
7. Step 7: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp whole milk until smooth. Drizzle over warm bread before serving.