Mardi Gras season begins on January 6, of each
year and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. One of the
wonderful traditions of Mardi Gras, and probably the most
delicious, is the King Cake.
On the Christian calendar, the 12th day after
Christmas is celebrated as the date that the gift-bearing Magi
visited the baby Jesus. This day, January 6, is known by several
names, including "Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day".
The celebration of this event has evolved over the centuries,
with each culture adding its own unique rituals. The New Orleans
tradition, borrowing heavily from European influences, is
believed to have begun in the 1870's. As part of this
celebration, it is now traditional to bake a cake in honor of
the three kings - the King Cake. King Cakes are oval-shaped to
symbolize the unity of faiths. Each cake is decorated in the
traditional Mardi Gras colors - purple representing justice,
green representing faith, and gold representing power. A small
baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is traditionally hidden inside
each King Cake.
In New Orleans, King Cake parties are held
throughout the Mardi Gras season. In offices, classrooms, and
homes throughout the city, King Cakes are sliced and enjoyed by
all. Like the Biblical story, the "search for the baby" adds
excitement, as each person waits to see in which slice of cake
the baby will be discovered. While custom holds that the person
who "finds" the baby will be rewarded with "good luck", that
person is also traditionally responsible for bringing the King
Cake to the next party or gathering.
The "traditional" King Cake is made from
twisted strands of cinnamon dough, covered by poured sugar and
sprinkled with purple, green and gold colored sugar. Today, many
additional varieties of King Cake are also available by adding
cream cheese, or other fillings to the "traditional" King Cake.
Enjoy a taste of New Orleans by starting the
King Cake tradition in your home, classroom, or office today.
Have a safe and Happy Mardi Gras!
Order your delicious King Cake
today and have it shipped fresh from our ovens to your door.
Note: Please be careful - each King Cake
package contains a plastic baby, approximately one inch long. To
participate in the King Cake tradition, lift up the king cake
prior to serving and insert the plastic baby in the underside of
the cake (just deep enough that the cake sits level on the
tray). Be sure to explain to participants that there is a hidden
baby.
