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The tradition dates back hundreds of years—and there’s an interesting story behind how the king cake baby made its way into the pastry. The practice of making and serving king cakes actually dates back to the origins of Mardi Gras itself, which was first celebrated in America in 1699. Baking a baby into the cake wasn’t common practice The cake was used to honor the biblical three kings, whose journey to Bethlehem to greet the baby Jesus took 12 days (hence the 12 days of Christmas). The cake was served at celebrations during The presence of the baby is most commonly associated with the New Orleans-style King Cake, which is heavily influenced by the city’s vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations. If you are purchasing a King Cake from a bakery, it’s a good idea to inquire whether the cake includes a baby or any other figurine. The king cake is an time-honored part of Mardi Gras tradition, and it means something significant if you find a small plastic baby in your slice. The name king cake is derived from the Three Wise Men in the Bible, who came bearing gifts for Baby Jesus on the Twelfth Night. King cake is first served on King's Day (January 6) and can continue to be served through the eve of Mardi Gras to celebrate the coming of the three kings, as well as to honor them with a sweet homage to their jeweled 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 The cakes are made with a rich dough, filled with various treats, and decorated with the Mardi Gras colors of gold, green, and purple. While shipped cakes are available from New Orleans bakeries, several grocery stores in the Augusta area also stock pre-made king cakes. When Mardi Gras rolls around each year, it’s also time for a king cake. The symbolic bean or baby baked (or embedded) into the king cake is important to Mardi Gras celebrations because the person who gets the piece containing the baby must host the next year’s 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. King cake is only eaten during the Carnival season — which begins 12 days after Christmas, on Epiphany, or Twelfth Night — and ends on Mardi Gras Day. Mardi Gras King Cake Tradition . The king cake tradition dates back hundreds of years and was originally made to celebrate Epiphany or Three Kings Day. Baking a tiny plastic baby into a king cake wasn’t common practice until the 1800s. Don’t be alarmed, this king cake baby isn’t a mistake – it’s actually one of the elements of the Mardi Gras king cake that has religious symbolism, as it represents the baby Jesus. Keep reading to learn more about king cakes, including what they look like, the Mardi Gras king cake traditions that are practiced today and more religious King cakes are made around the world as part of the festival of the Epiphany, but in New Orleans, king cakes have truly taken on a life of their own. From the start of Carnival on January 6 through Mardi Gras at the beginning of February, you’ll find one of these sweet, color-splashed king cakes just about everywhere. – Three Men and a Baby: A Brief History of King Cakes . I hesitated to make this cake at home this Mardi Gras. King Cakes are absolutely everywhere in New Orleans and really there’s no need to make one at home. That would be like visiting Paris and staying indoors to make your own croissants. I’m also very new to New Orleans. King cake, a scrumptious sweet treat, becomes the main food event during Mardi Gras. Traditionally the King Cake is a cinnamon sugar filled dough twisted into a delightful ring that is topped with vibrant purple, green, and gold decorating sugars. It’s a festive treat that kicks off lively celebrations before the arrival of Lent. But I do appreciate how much folks get into the spirit of Mardi Gras all over America. It’s fun to have an excuse to throw a partyor bake a cake. A traditional king cake takes at least a few hours from start to finish, but the shortcut king cake I make is ready in just one hour, with a lot less prep time and measuring. A kid could make it. Mardi Gras king cake with beads and baby figurine - Lynne Mitchell/Getty Images. The city of New Orleans is famed throughout the world for its unique history and local culture, renowned culinary Mardi Gras: eat king cake, find the king cake baby, buy the next king cake, and repeat 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. The baby in King Cake is a long-standing Mardi Gras tradition. It symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it in their slice. The lucky person is crowned king or queen for the day and is supposedly responsible for providing next year’s cake. Others love the French style of king cake called a pithivier or a unique spin on the Mardi Gras classic. One of the trending new king cakes in New Orleans, for example, is the King Cake Monkey
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