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 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. According to Eater, if you see a king cake before Jan. 6, hold off on eating it! That’s because Jan. 6 is Epiphany, also known as Three Kings' Day—the official start of Carnival season. In Mardi Gras officially begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) and lasts until Ash Wednesday, and King Cake is the traditional dessert served at this time. French settlers brought this custom to New Orleans around 1870 to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany- the arrival of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas. King cake is eaten on January 6 in honor of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, which historically marks the arrival of the three wise men/kings in Bethlehem who delivered gifts to the baby Jesus. Mardi Gras celebrations call for a king cake, clad in green, purple, and gold sprinkles. Carnival season begins with Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas on January 6, when the wise men (or The person who found the concealed piece was either declared King for the day or believed to have good luck in the upcoming year. Modern Celebrations and Beyond Source: kingarthurbaking.com. 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 King Cake Tradition . The tradition of the king cake dates back to the Middle Ages. It was originally made to celebrate the Catholic Epiphany, a.k.a. Three Kings Day. French settlers brought the cake (and the traditions behind it) to Louisiana in the 1800s. So what's the meaning behind the baby? The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the Feast of the epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day. The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King’s Cake to honor the three Kings. 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 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 It is then covered in sugar glaze and sprinkled with sugar in purple, green and gold (the colors of Mardi Gras). The person who finds the "surprise" has to provide the King Cake next year. It is popular throughout Mardi Gras, but specifically on Fat Tuesday–so named because it is the last day of eating and indulging before Ash Wednesday. The person who hosts the Mardi Gras party buys or makes the king cake, and since whoever finds the baby is said to be prosperous in the coming year, they take on the responsibility of providing the king cake for the next year. Mobile, Alabama is the mother of mystics, the original birthplace of Mardi Gras as we know it! Each year, the city and its surrounding communities come together for weeks of parades, masked balls, MoonPies and merry-making leading up to Fat Tuesday, a season that is collectively known as Mardi Gras. This is also known as the Feast of the Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King’s Day. A Mardi Gras king cake is full of symbolism. For instance, their oval shape symbolizes the circular path the three kings took on their return trip to avoid the evil King Herod (who wanted to kill Jesus). Joe Gambino's Bakery, or Gambino's, as it is often shortened, is famous for cakes.Yet, it is not the traditional braided King Cake that put Gambino's on the map. In the 1930s, Beulah Levy Ledner 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 — which literally translates Enjoy this delicious homemade Mardi Gras King Cake this year and let the good times roll! Made with a sweet brioche dough and a cinnamon or cream cheese filling, this is the best king cake recipe and 1,000x better than anything you’ll find in a grocery store or bakery! History of the King Cake. The king cake goes all the way back to medieval Europe when the people of that time would bake up the cake in celebration of the Epiphany, which represents the arrival of the Three Wise Men to meet baby Jesus. Yup: It's the famous King cake. It is a Mardi Gras tradition that is a must-have for all Mardi Gras festivities. otherwise known as the Twelfth Day of Christmas or Three King’s Day. It is
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() |