Mini King Cake Cupcakes (Printable Version)

Tender mini cupcakes with cinnamon swirls and festive colored sugar, inspired by New Orleans flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cupcake Batter

01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
07 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 large egg, room temperature
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Swirl Filling

10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
12 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

→ Glaze

13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 2 to 3 tbsp milk
15 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ Colored Sugar

16 - 2 tbsp green sanding sugar
17 - 2 tbsp purple sanding sugar
18 - 2 tbsp gold sanding sugar

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 24-cup mini muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
04 - Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
05 - In a small bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling.
06 - Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup. Top with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon filling and swirl gently with a toothpick.
07 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
10 - Drizzle glaze over cooled cupcakes. Immediately sprinkle with alternating bands of green, purple, and gold sanding sugar. Allow glaze to set before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Perfect portion control with 24 mini cupcakes that are easier to serve than slicing a traditional King Cake
  • Ready in under 40 minutes from start to finish, making them ideal for last-minute celebrations
  • Features the classic cinnamon swirl filling that defines authentic King Cake flavor
  • Beautifully festive with traditional Mardi Gras colors in green, purple, and gold sanding sugar
  • Easy enough for beginners yet impressive enough for experienced bakers
  • Kid-friendly and perfect for school parties, potlucks, or family gatherings
02 -
  • Use a mini cookie scoop to portion the batter evenly for consistently sized cupcakes
  • Don't overfill the muffin cups—they should be about two-thirds full to prevent overflow
  • Make the cinnamon filling slightly warm so it's easier to dollop and swirl
  • Test one cupcake at the minimum baking time; mini cupcakes can overbake quickly
  • Adjust the glaze consistency by adding milk one teaspoon at a time until it's pourable but not too thin
  • Apply colored sugars in sections using small spoons to keep colors distinct and vibrant
  • Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months
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