If we had to make a list of our favorite things about Mardi
Gras, well, it would be a very long list. One thing that would definitely be
near the top is King Cake. Louisianans get to indulge in the round, royal treat
but once a year. There are a few things that can’t be disputed. Like, King Cake
is delicious, nothing goes better with a cup of New Orleans coffee than a
flakey, gooey, frosted slice of King Cake, and King Cake is delicious. We said
that last one twice, didn’t we? The origins of King Cakes and the ritual of the
baby are a little more difficult to clear up. So let’s give it a try.
Origin of King Cake
King Cake “season” officially begins 12 days after Christmas
and is known as the Feast of the Epiphany. The Epiphany is said to mark the
arrival of the three wise men. A long-standing, celebratory tradition was, and
still is, to bake a sweet treat. As an ode to the three kings, the dessert was
referred to as “A King’s Cake.”
King Cakes, like most Cajun cuisine, evolved from humble
origins. The original cake was a very simple ring of dough with minimal
decorations; a tradition we still honor. You can order a traditional King Cake
here. Today our King Cakes are made of decadent brioche dough. Then the dough
is filled; we have 18 fillings ranging from Bavarian Cream Cheese to Praline Pecan from Blueberry to Apple, and everything in between. The cake is baked to
flakey, golden perfection then iced and topped with purple, green and gold
sugar.
Now, let’s talk about the baby. This is where you will see
Cajun folklore at its best. Many myths and mysteries surround the tradition.
There is a small plastic baby with every King Cake, which is now inserted into
the cake before it’s served. The baby is intended to represent Jesus. Whoever
finds the baby is responsible for supplying next year’s King Cake and
subsequently receives a year of good luck.
Ok, let’s take it back a few hundred years. The hidden
object was once a bean, then a pecan or jeweled ring. People who found these
objects would be crowned the King or Queen of the Mardi Gras Ball. Legend has
it that around 1950 a traveling salesman, who purchased a surplus of tiny
porcelain dolls, approached a famous New Orleans baker. He liked the idea of
hiding the dolls in his cakes. The rest is history.
Today, we proudly continue these traditions. And boy are we
glad, because King Cakes are delicious. Oh, yeah, we’ve mentioned that, right?
If you are a seasoned King Cake veteran or if you have never tried one, head
over to our website and order one, or a few. We can ship across the US, so that
you can impress your office, add something special to a family gathering or
celebrate your own private Mardi Gras! Laissez les bon temps rouler!