King Cake: Shop Local During Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras Day has a moveable date and may occur on any Tuesday from February 3rd to March 9th. It is always the day before Ash Wednesday, and always falls 46 days before Easter.

The Mardi Gras or Carnival season officially begins on January 6th or the “Twelfth Night,” also known to Christians as the “Epiphany.” Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means “to show.” Jesus first showed himself to the three wisemen and to the world on this day. As a symbol of this Holy Day, a tiny plastic baby is placed inside each King Cake.

King cake is first served on King’s Day (January 6) and lasts 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 crown.

The King Cake tradition is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870.

In the past such things as coins, beans, pecans, or peas were hidden in each King Cake. Today, a tiny plastic baby is the common prize. At a party, the King Cake is sliced and served. Each person looks to see if their piece contains the “baby.” If so, then that person is named “King” for a day and bound by custom to host the next party and provide the King Cake.

King cake comes in a number of styles. The simplest and more traditional cake is made of a ring of twisted dough similar to a cinnamon roll. It is an oval-shaped baked delicacy that is a cross between coffee cake and a rich pastry. It is usually topped with sugar or icing which is colored in Mardi Gras colors. Purple is for justice, green is for faith, and gold for is for power.

Cakes may also be filled with cream cheese, praline, cinnamon, or strawberry. Other flavors include a chocolate icing with coconut filling. They all sound delicious.

Let the Good Times Roll!