King Cake-Inspired Sweet Cinnamon Brioche Rolls

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Fluffy brioche rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with vibrant Mardi Gras colored icing to evoke the spirit of the classic King Cake. This French-inspired Mardi Gras recipe, ready in about 120 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm whole milk 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 280 calories and feeds 12, 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: 90 min Cook: 30 min Serves 12 French cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
1 cup (110°F) warm whole milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp milk for icing
1/2 cup each purple, green, and gold colored sugar sprinkles

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm whole milk (110°F) with 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Add 3 large eggs, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in 4 cups all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Knead dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
Step 4: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into a 12x20-inch rectangle. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp ground cinnamon and 1/3 cup brown sugar, then evenly sprinkle over dough.
Step 5: Roll dough tightly into a log, pinch edges to seal, and cut into 12 equal rolls. Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch pan and let rise for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cool for 15 minutes.
Step 7: Whisk 2 cups powdered sugar with 1 tsp vanilla extract and 3-4 tbsp milk until smooth and pourable. Drizzle icing over warm rolls and immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold colored sugars to mimic Mardi Gras colors.