Mardi Gras King Cake Bars: Amazing 1-Step Treat

When that Mardi Gras spirit starts to bubble up, you might crave a slice of traditional King Cake. But let’s be real, sometimes making a full-blown, braided King Cake feels like a marathon! That’s where my Mardi Gras King Cake Bars come in. They’re my little shortcut to that classic New Orleans flavor, without all the fuss. My uncle, a chef whose restaurant was the heart of our family, taught me that food brings people together. He’d whip up incredible dishes with such passion. I carry that same spirit into my kitchen, always looking for ways to make delicious traditions more accessible. These bars capture the fun and flavor of Mardi Gras beautifully!

These bars are a game-changer for your Mardi Gras celebrations. They offer:

• Incredible convenience.
• Speedy preparation.
• All the authentic King Cake flavors you adore.
• A dazzling visual appeal.
• Perfect portability for parties.

King Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a symbol of Mardi Gras joy. Traditionally, it’s a brioche-like pastry, often with cinnamon filling, decorated in the Mardi Gras colors. Finding a baby hidden inside means good luck! My Mardi Gras King Cake Bars bring you that same delightful taste and festive look. They’re a much quicker way to share the tradition. You get that sweet, spiced goodness in every bite. It’s a slice of New Orleans magic, simplified for your home kitchen.

Getting ready to whip up these delightful Mardi Gras King Cake Bars is half the fun! I always find that having all my ingredients laid out makes the process so much smoother. It’s like laying the groundwork for a culinary masterpiece. For these bars, we’re starting with a trusty yellow cake mix. It’s a fantastic base that saves us time without sacrificing flavor. I also love using a good quality vegetable oil for a moist crumb. And don’t forget those little flavor boosters like butter and cinnamon extracts – they really make a difference, reminiscent of the aromas from my uncle’s busy kitchen! Gathering these simple items is the first step to Mardi Gras deliciousness.

Here’s what you’ll need for the cake itself:

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon butter flavoring
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For that signature sweetness and festive sparkle:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green, purple, and yellow sanding sugar
• 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon)

Now for the fun part – bringing these festive Mardi Gras King Cake Bars to life! My goal is always to make baking feel joyful, not daunting. We’ll walk through this together, step-by-step. You’ll see how easy it is to get that classic King Cake flavor and look right in your own kitchen. It’s all about simple techniques that yield delicious results. Let’s get baking and spread some Mardi Gras cheer!

First things first, let’s get our oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a good grease and flour. In a big bowl, combine your yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Add in that wonderful butter flavoring, cinnamon extract, and salt. Now, whisk it all up with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes. You want a smooth, well-combined batter. Pour this lovely batter into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. This is the base for our delicious bars!

Before we bake, let’s add a little extra spice. Sprinkle that cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over your cake batter. Now, pop it into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a wooden skewer poked into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully flip it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here is key! Trying to frost a warm cake is a recipe for a melty mess.

While our cake cools, let’s whip up the icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Keep whisking until it’s nice and smooth. If it seems too thick, just add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it’s the perfect drizzling consistency. You want it fluid enough to pour but not so thin that it runs right off. This simple icing is the perfect canvas for our festive decorations.

Once your cake is totally cool, it’s time for the showstopper! Drizzle that sweet icing all over the top. Don’t aim for perfection here; a little rustic charm is lovely. Immediately after the icing, generously sprinkle your green, purple, and yellow sanding sugars over the wet icing. This is where the magic happens! For an extra pop, you can divide the icing into small bowls and tint portions with food coloring before drizzling. Then, cut the whole thing into bars. Voilà! Your beautiful Mardi Gras King Cake Bars are ready to be devoured!

Making these Mardi Gras King Cake Bars is pretty straightforward, but a few little tricks can make them even better. I’ve learned that paying attention to small details really elevates a simple recipe. Think of these tips as my seasoned advice from countless kitchen adventures. We want your bars to look and taste amazing, just like they came from a bakery, but with that special homemade touch. Let’s ensure your Mardi Gras celebration is extra sweet and visually stunning!

The icing is key to that classic King Cake look. If your icing is too thick, it’ll be hard to drizzle. Add milk, just a teaspoon at a time, until it flows nicely. Too thin? Whisk in a little more powdered sugar. You want it to coat the back of a spoon easily. It should be pourable but not watery.

For that vibrant Mardi Gras sparkle, sprinkle the sanding sugars right after you drizzle the icing. While the icing is still wet, the sugars will stick. Don’t be shy; a generous sprinkle makes them pop! For the most even look, try holding the sugar shaker a little higher. This helps the colors spread out beautifully.

Got questions about these fun Mardi Gras King Cake Bars? I’ve got answers! I love helping you make these recipes as enjoyable as possible. Here are some common things folks ask.

Can I make Mardi Gras King Cake Bars ahead of time?

You sure can! These bars are fantastic for making ahead. I usually bake and cool them completely, then store them without the icing and sprinkles. You can add those festive toppings just before serving. This keeps the sugars from getting too sticky and the icing looking fresh.

What’s the best way to store Mardi Gras King Cake Bars?

Storing them is simple. Once they are completely cooled and decorated, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay delicious for up to 3 days. Just make sure they’re not stacked too high, or the decorations might smudge a bit.

Can I use a different cake mix for these Mardi Gras King Cake Bars?

Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is my go-to for that classic flavor, feel free to experiment. A white cake mix or even a spice cake mix would work wonderfully. Just follow the same wet ingredient ratios as listed on the box if they differ. It’s all about making these bars your own!

These vibrant Mardi Gras King Cake Bars are perfect for any Mardi Gras party, a fun weekend treat, or just because you need a little festive joy! Serve them with a glass of cold milk for a delightful pairing. They’re also wonderful alongside a cup of coffee. Enjoy every colorful, sweet bite!

Mardi Gras King Cake Bars: Amazing 1-Step Treat

---

• Author: Alexander Knight
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Easy Mardi Gras King Cake Bars are a festive and quick way to enjoy the flavors of a traditional King Cake. These bars capture the essence of Mardi Gras with vibrant colors and sweet icing, perfect for any celebration.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon butter flavoring
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green, purple, and yellow sanding sugar
• 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, butter flavoring, cinnamon extract, and salt. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, until well combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
4. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the cake batter.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. While the cake cools, prepare the icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk a teaspoon at a time if needed to reach a drizzling consistency.
8. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the icing over the top.
9. Immediately sprinkle the green, purple, and yellow sanding sugars over the wet icing.
10. Cut the cake into bars and serve.

Notes

• For an extra festive touch, you can add a few drops of purple, green, and yellow food coloring to portions of the icing and drizzle them separately.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: Approx. 200-250 calories (will vary based on specific ingredients used)
• Sugar: Approx. 30-40g
• Sodium: Approx. 150-200mg
• Fat: Approx. 8-12g
• Saturated Fat: Approx. 2-4g
• Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 6-8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: Approx. 30-40g
• Fiber: Approx. 1g
• Protein: Approx. 2-3g
• Cholesterol: Approx. 20-30mg