King Cake Stuffed Croissants (Printable)

Flaky croissants with a rich spiced pecan filling, topped with festive icing and colored sugars.

# What You'll Need:

→ Croissants

01 - 8 large store-bought or bakery croissants, preferably day-old

→ Pecan Filling

02 - 1 cup pecan halves or pieces
03 - 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Icing & Decoration

10 - 1 cup powdered sugar
11 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars for decoration

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a food processor, pulse the pecans until finely chopped but not ground into a paste.
03 - In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir in the chopped pecans until thoroughly combined.
04 - Using a sharp knife, split each croissant horizontally, leaving a hinge so they open like a book.
05 - Evenly spread the pecan filling inside each croissant, then gently close.
06 - Place the stuffed croissants on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the croissants are golden and the filling is set.
07 - While the croissants bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth, thick, and pourable.
08 - Let croissants cool slightly, then drizzle with icing. Immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars in festive stripes.
09 - Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect fusion of French pastry technique and New Orleans tradition
  • Ready in just 40 minutes using store-bought croissants
  • Impressive presentation with festive Mardi Gras colors
  • Rich, nutty filling with warm spices creates irresistible flavor
  • Ideal for brunch gatherings, Carnival parties, or special breakfast treats
02 -
  • Make ahead: Assemble croissants and refrigerate unbaked overnight, then bake as directed in the morning for fresh pastries
  • Don't skip the hinge when cutting—it keeps the croissant intact and makes filling easier
  • Test one croissant first to ensure your oven temperature is accurate
  • For easier drizzling, transfer icing to a zip-top bag, snip the corner, and pipe in decorative patterns
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or freeze unfrosted croissants for up to 1 month
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