Mini King Cupcakes Colored Sugar (Print Version)

Bite-sized cinnamon swirl cupcakes topped with colorful sugar perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cupcake Batter

01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon 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 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Swirl Filling

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

→ Glaze

13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
15 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Colored Sugar

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

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 24-cup mini muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.
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 until well combined.
06 - Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup. Top each with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon filling and gently swirl 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 extract 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 Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect portion control with adorable mini cupcakes that are easier to share than a traditional King Cake
  • Quick and easy to make in just 38 minutes from start to finish
  • Features the classic cinnamon swirl filling that makes King Cake so irresistible
  • Beautifully festive with traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold
  • Great for parties, celebrations, or bringing a taste of New Orleans to your home
  • Vegetarian-friendly and easily adaptable for different dietary needs
02 -
  • Use a small cookie scoop to portion the batter evenly into each muffin cup for uniform cupcakes
  • Don't skip the swirling step—it creates the beautiful marbled pattern that makes these cupcakes so visually appealing
  • Apply the colored sugar in distinct sections rather than mixing them together to maintain the traditional King Cake appearance
  • If your glaze is too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time; if too thin, add more powdered sugar
  • Make the cinnamon filling right before using it so it stays fluid and easy to dollop
  • For extra flavor, toast the all-purpose flour in a dry skillet for 5 minutes before using to add a subtle nutty depth
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