Levain-style cookies made especially for Mardi Gras with classic King Cake flavors
Get ready to celebrate Mardi Gras with these jumbo, bakery-style cookies! These Levain-inspired King Cake cookies are thick, soft, and packed with all the classic flavors of a traditional King Cake—cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of almond. Instead of icing, they’re topped with festive purple, green, and gold sanding sugar, for the perfect Mardi Gras touch. A fun twist on the famous New Orleans treat!
Recipe Rundown
Mardi Gras at Home: A Low-Key Celebration with King Cake Cookies
I’ve never been big on Mardi Gras, but I do love a good King Cake! The parades and festivities look like so much fun, but I think I’m better off as a spectator—haha. That’s okay, though, because I love celebrating in my own way with themed snacks and fun activities at home. Check out the sprinkle of fun below for some ideas!
The Flavor Breakdown: King Cake in a Cookie
When creating this recipe, I knew I wanted to highlight the cinnamon sugar while also incorporating the signature cream cheese element that makes King Cake SO delicious.
I tested two versions—one with cream cheese chunks and another with cream cheese-flavored chips—and honestly, both turned out amazing!
• Cream Cheese Chunks – These create rich, creamy pockets throughout the cookie, adding extra moisture and a swirl of pure cream cheese flavor against the cinnamon sugar dough.
• Cream Cheese-Flavored Chips – These bring a slightly tangier, much sweeter taste and add more bite into the texture.
No matter which version you choose, you’ll get that signature King Cake flavor in every bite!
The Topping: Keeping It Classic
Most grocery stores and craft stores carry sanding sugar, so the traditional Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold—should be easy to find. You can mix them all together for a speckled effect or apply them in neat stripes like I did for that classic King Cake look.
Whether you go all out for Mardi Gras or keep it simple like me, these cookies bring the fun (and the flavor) right to your kitchen!
FAQ
1. What makes these cookies “King Cake” inspired?
These cookies capture the classic flavors of King Cake with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of almond. The cream cheese chips or chunks mimic the cream cheese-filled King Cakes, while the sprinkles and glaze bring in the signature Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold!
2. What is a Levain-style cookie?
Levain-style cookies are thick, bakery-style cookies known for their crispy edges, soft centers, and chunky mix-ins. They’re baked at a higher temperature to achieve a golden exterior while keeping the inside gooey and rich.
3. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking.
4. How should I store these cookies?
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer them warm, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before eating!
5. What’s the best way to get thick cookies?
Keep the dough cold before baking, and don’t flatten the dough balls. The cold butter and tall dough mounds help maintain the signature thick, gooey texture.
6. Do I need to use both vanilla and almond extract?
The combination of vanilla and almond extract gives these cookies the classic King Cake flavor, but if you’re not a fan of almond extract, you can leave it out or replace it with an extra teaspoon of vanilla.
Sprinkle of Fun
If you’re like me and prefer a low-key celebration, here are some easy ways to bring the Mardi Gras spirit!:
• Bake and Decorate – These King Cake cookies are the perfect themed treat, and you can get creative with the sanding sugar designs!
• Movie Night – Watch something set in New Orleans, like The Princess and the Frog or The Big Easy.
• DIY Bead Toss – Set up a mini bead toss game with cups or baskets for a fun challenge.
• Jazz Music Vibes – Play some classic New Orleans jazz while you enjoy your cookies.
• Craft a DIY Mask – Decorate paper masks with feathers, glitter, and sequins for a festive touch.
Mardi Gras King Cake Jumbo Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, cold and cubed
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, cold
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup cream cheese chunks (cold, cut into small pieces)
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup purple, green, and gold sprinkles (Mardi Gras colors)
- 1/2 cup purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 410°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the cold butter with granulated and brown sugars until smooth but not over-creamed (1-2 minutes).
- Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla and almond extracts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the cream cheese chunks, white chocolate chips, and Mardi Gras-colored sprinkles.
- Divide the dough into large balls, about 5-6 oz each. Don’t flatten the dough, lightly shape them into a circle and keep them tall to get the thicker style cookie. The dough should remain in tall, loose spheres.
- Place 3-4 on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. Add the sanding sugar in stripes onto the tops of each cookie. Bake for 9-12 minutes, until the edges are golden but the centers are slightly underdone. Keep the remaining dough in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 30 minutes and then move them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, place the next set of cookies on the other baking sheet and repeat the process.
- Let the cookies cool completely before eating! Since they’re jumbo, they need time to set—plus, the texture improves as they cool. They’re totally worth the wait!
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