These king cake cupcakes were a huge hit! Many people have asked for the recipe and today, with a few days left before Mardi Gras, I am glad to finally be able to share. Throw tradition out of the window and enjoy these cinnamon, pecan cupcakes all year long.
You can also try making King Cake Cookies or a quick and easy Homemade King Cake!
King Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing {Recipe}
: Dessert
A fun twist on the tradition of Mardi Gras King Cakes!
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- White Boxed Cake Mix (makes life simple - make as directed)
- 2 Tbs. Cinnamon (divided)
- 1 Tbs. Sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans (approximate - I only sprinkled pecans on half)
Cream Cheese Icing
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1.5 Tbs. vegetable shortening
- 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix cupcakes as directed on box mix and preheat oven as directed. Add 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of lemon extract to batter.
- In separate bowl combine remaining 1 tablespoon of cinnamon to 1 tablespoon of sugar. (Feel free to adjust this ratio as desired).
- Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full with batter mixture. On top of each cupcake sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and sugar mixture. Take a toothpick and swirl the mixture into the cupcake slightly.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top if desired. Use as few or as little as you like.
- Bake as directed.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Cream together the softened cream cheese, shortening, and butter.
- Add vanilla extract and gently add in the powdered sugar with the mixer on low.
- Add additional powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- Top with purple, green, and gold sugar sprinkles for a true king cake design!
Cream Cheese icing recipe adapted from My Baking Addiction Recipe for Black Tie Cupcakes.
Linked to Katherine’s Corner Favorite Things, Deb Duty This or That Thursday, and Crisp PhotoWorks.
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These cupcakes look yummy. I want to known if you have recipe for these cupcakes to be made homemade? I don’t like to use mixes.
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So excited for you, Tricia. Look forward to following you and making some of your delicious treats for family and friends. Nice work
This is very colorful king cake cupcakes. I really like this one. In fact, this recipe is nice to try.
Thanks for sharing this sweet delicious recipe, my children love this kind of cupcakes…
Stopping by from the Thursdays Favorite Things Hop! http://queenofsavings.com
I was going to print this but I pinned it instead! I love pinterest! Now everyone will enjoy them. Donna
i love cupcakes! looks like its fun to do.
Looks like a nice recipe and I am sure that a lot of people will be interested to share this too…
I see the recipe calls for lemon extract I have a lemon cake mix I wonder if that would work any ideas????
Have fun at Madri Gras. Love the king cakes my friend. My favorite color too. Hugs P.S. thank you for linking to Thursday Favorite Things linky party
That first shot is awesome! I’d like to see more! You know what? I am first time on your blog but I just started a food linky and I would LOVE you to link that shot! It fit the food challenge perfectly! 🙂
They look delicious! I don’t do much baking, but I will definitely be buying a king cake this weekend!
Beautiful and looks so delish! I had to pin it!
Those look amazing and are SO festive! I just ordered a King Cake today from a local bakery. And I posted about parades. Mardi Gras is here already, hard to believe!
I love the color of the sprinkle.. When I first saw it I thought it was a a fake cake.. 🙂
Tricia, These sound great. I can do these. Thanks for sharing. Ginger
Oh yum! They’re so festive! Thanks for sharing.