And wait till you hear the ingredient list: 4,000 pounds of Danish flour, 286 pounds of yeast, 428 dozen eggs, 1,178 pounds of water, 8.925 gallons of flavoring, 2,087 pounds of icing, 331 pounds Whoever found the bean or trinket in their slice of cake would be crowned the king or queen of the balls leading up to the lavish finale on Mardi Gras. In the 1940s, babies became a staple in the cakes when bakery owner Donald Entringer began placing porcelain varieties in the cakes until plastic ones became more widely available. As the modern American Mardi Gras officially kicks off on January 6th, marking the Twelfth Night and the Epiphany, King Cakes extend their allure beyond Louisiana. This sweet treat is available for the duration of Carnival season which spans from January 6th until concluding on Mardi Gras day, which falls on February 13th this year. Today's traditional king cake is a twisted ring of brioche-like cake covered in icing or sugar in the Mardi Gras colors of green, gold, and purple. Cajuns tend to take the cake to the next level So, what is a king cake? The name “king cake” comes from the Biblical story of the three kings who bring gifts to Baby Jesus. A blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll, king cake is usually iced in yellow, green and purple – the colors of Mardi Gras -- and is frequently packed with fruit fillings and decadent cream cheeses. Read on as I go over the history of the Mardi Gras King Cake. Many might be unfamiliar with Mardi Gras customs. Your first taste of king cake could come from a friend or coworker from Alabama or Louisiana. They may tell you that whoever gets the piece with the miniature plastic baby inside needs to deliver the king cake themselves next time. Here now, an exploration of the history of this baked good, the traditions surrounding it, and a brief look at king cakes across the globe. In New Orleans, king cake and Mardi Gras go hand in Mardi Gras celebrations call for a king cake, clad in green, purple, and gold sprinkles. Here's the history of the holiday food, from Europe to New Orleans. What is king cake? King cake is a ring of sweet buttery pastry (similar to brioche) that's covered in lots of icing the topped with loads of purple, yellow, and green sprinkles or luster dust. Some folks make their king cake more like a bread and others prefer a more cake-y version—there's no right or wrong way. The King Cake Tradition – Video. Mardi Gras History. The celebration of Mardi Gras came to North America from France where it had been celebrated since the Middle Ages. In 1699, French explorer Iberville and his men explored the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico. In Christian tradition the cake commemorates the witness of the "Three Kings". [9] [10] The tradition of the Mardi Gras king cake did not become established until the 20th-century, although the ubiquitous gold, purple and green sprinkles have been standard decoration since 1872. The cake is usually purchased at a shop. King Cake History. The first American Mardi Gras is believed to have taken place in March of 1699 after two French explorers made their way to New Orleans. Later, European settlers continued to bring their pre-Lenten celebrations to America, and Carnival officially became a yearly celebration by New Orleaneans in the 1830s. The King Cake is an iconic symbol of Mardi Gras, a tradition deeply rooted in culture, religion, and celebration. With its brightly colored sugar toppings in purple, green, and gold, and the The 2025 King Cake season starts on Twelfth Night or Epiphany January 6th through Mardi Gras March 4th, 2025. Annual Tradition A taste of Mardi Gras shipped nationwide. We're renowned across the United States for delivering the finest King Cakes right to your doorstep! So, for example, a Christmas king cake might be formed and decorated to resemble a wreath, while a birthday king cake might be made in the shape of numerals. And while in France the trinkets are more varied and collectible, the New Orleans king cake baby has evolved into a beloved mascot of Mardi Gras. Thus, plastic babies in metallic purple The King Cake is an iconic symbol of Mardi Gras, a tradition deeply rooted in culture, religion, and celebration. With its brightly colored sugar toppings in purple, green, and gold, and the The origins of King Cake: How the colorful, sweet treat became a Mardi Gras staple Published: Jan. 25, 2025, 6:00 a.m. King Cake is a popular treat typically served only during the Mardi Gras season. Introduction to King Cakes. King cakes are a traditional part of Mardi Gras festivities, with their origins tracing back to medieval Europe. The cake is typically made with a sweet, flaky dough that is shaped into a circle to represent the unity of all Christians. While this cake tradition has been a part of New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations since Pierre Le Moyne, a French-Canadian explorer, carried the tradition of Carnival and king cake to Louisiana in Discover the rich history of the king cake, from its colorful Mardi Gras traditions to the iconic hidden baby that crowns someone "king for a day." STORE HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 7 AM TO 4 PM
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |