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 Mardi Gras traditions in New Orleans are tied deeply to the dates of the season, so many locals joke that it's "illegal" for king cake to be consumed before Jan. 6. Get your king cake and plastic beads ready, it's time for Mardi Gras! Julia Gomez. Mardi Gras' date changes depending on the Spring Equinox and can even be in a different month from year to 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 The person also is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake party. Embrace the tradition, enjoy your reign, and spread the joy of Mardi Gras! 2025 King Cake Season The 2025 King Cake season starts on Twelfth Night or Epiphany January 6th through Mardi Gras March 4th, 2025. Decorating Mardi Gras king cakes at Dong Phuong Bakery & Restaurant in New Orleans. Photo by C. Ross for The Washington Post via Getty Images Elias Alvarado rolling out butter for a king cake at 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. 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. 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 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. King cake season winds down around February 28th, the last day of the month, because that is when Mardi Gras ends. This is also why king cakes are colored green, purple, and gold: to symbolize the colors of Mardi Gras. However, king cakes in New Orleans tend to start disappearing around Fat Tuesday. For those who follow the convention, January To make the cake, heat milk in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and whisk in the granulated sugar, yeast, and a heaping tablespoon of the flour, mixing until both the sugar and the yeast have dissolved. Belinda's Gluten Free King Cakes is back bringing the joy of Mardi Gras to everyone, with delicious, gluten-free king cakes. Made from high-quality, gluten-free ingredients, our king cakes are moist, flavorful, and perfect for any celebration. Each cake is beautifully decorated in vibrant Mardi Gras colors, and every bite is a reminder of tradition. From classic cinnamon to rich cream cheese 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! When is Mardi Gras 2025? Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is on Tuesday, March 4 this year. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. Like Ash Wednesday and Easter, Mardi Gras' date changes The tradition of the king cake dates back to the Middle Ages. It was originally made to celebrate the Catholic Epiphany, a.k.a. Photos of Mardi Gras King Cake. 01 Mardi Gras King Cake Silicone Bib (Each) $20.00 Coming Soon. 8" Carnival Mascots King Cake Baby, Crawfish and Alligator Assorted Plush Pieces (Dozen) 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 until the 1800s. What Is King Cake? King cake is a sweet, ring-shaped pastry that’s traditionally enjoyed during Carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. Shipped with the Traditions of New Orleans brochure which is a fun read for New Orleans lovers. It covers Specialty foods of New Orleans, Fine Restaurants, All about Mardi Gras doubloons including two authentic ones as well, the history of Mardi Gras, the history of king cakes and the dates of Mardi Gras day until 2025!
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |