The common denominator between all of these cakes is that they all have a small trinket or figurine — such as a bean, a coin, a nut, or a tiny baby figurine — hidden inside. Whoever finds the trinket in their slice of cake gets to be “king” for a day and is also said to have good luck.
What is the flavor of a king cake?
King cakes come in various flavors, but traditionally, the king cake is a cinnamon-flavored dough covered in sweet green, gold, and purple sugar or icing. Over time, other flavors became just as popular. Two of the most popular flavors are the cream-cheese and our Praline king cake.
Traditionally, a small porcelain baby, symbolizing Jesus, is hidden in the king cake and is a way for residents of New Orleans to celebrate their Christian faith. The baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it.
Why is there a baby in the king cake?
Why Is There a Baby in the King Cake? A miniature plastic baby, which symbolizes baby Jesus, is placed inside of each cake to signify the Epiphany . The person who gets the slice that contains the baby is known as the king. They are charged with the responsibility of bringing a king cake to the next event.
What is special about a king cake?
The cake was served and guests looked to see if their piece contained the bean. The person who found it would receive a boost of good luck, be named “King” for a day , and would be required to host the next party and/or provide the cake (a tradition that continues today).
How do you serve king cake?
Each King Cake traditionally comes with a plastic baby. Most bakeries leave the baby outside the cake , to be inserted before the cake is served, preventing lawsuits in case someone chokes on it or breaks a tooth. Contrary to some beliefs, the baby does not symbolize the baby Jesus.
Do you bake the baby in the king cake?
Traditionally, the “baby” was actually a small dried bean or a pecan , which would get baked right into the cake. Finding the bean in your slice of cake means that you got to be king or queen for the day and are also responsible for bringing the next cake to keep the party going.
What is the best king cake flavor?
A KING OF KING CAKES
While the traditional cinnamon flavor is by far the most popular with locals, his Pecan Praline won the Times-Picayune King of King Cakes award in 2012.
Is King Cake a dessert?
8 Mardi Gras Facts You Should Know
If you eat just one purple, green, and yellow-hued dessert this winter, make it a king cake. ... People eat king cake during Carnival season, which kicks off January 6 on the Christian feast of Epiphany that’s also called King’s Day or Three King’s Day.
What is the difference between a king cake and a queen cake?
It is a revved up King Cake that offers a variety of flavors that have become so popular in the King Cake universe. ... A single Queen Cake will have portions that are traditional, some that are strawberry, some cream cheese, pineapple portions, apple portions and of course lemon portions.
What does King Cake represent?
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.
Is King Cake a Catholic tradition?
Since being incorporated into Catholic tradition , King Cake takes its name from the three kings who arrived bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. Their journey is said to have taken 12 days and their arrival marks the 12th day of Christmas, which is also known as Epiphany, King’s Day or Three King’s Day.
Why is king cake dry?
Made from thin layers of pastry, king cake is best described as a cinnamon sugared sweet bread –like a cross between a brioche, a coffee cake, and a doughnut. ... But like fruit cake, it often gets a bad rap for being tasteless and dry due to the custom in which it’s baked.
What day do you eat king cake 2021?
When do you eat king cake? King cake is indeed a heavenly treat for New Orleanians when it appears in supermarkets and bakeries between early January and Ash Wednesday . Some bakeries across the city begin selling as early as December, but always at the start of Carnival – January 6.
Do you warm up king cake?
After lightly touching the icing to make sure it’s not too hot, eat and enjoy. The king cake dough should be warm and tender .
Should I refrigerate king cake?
Yes. A King Cake will stay fresh longer if refrigerated. It can be kept in a refrigerator for up to a week and can even be frozen for up to 3 months! Before serving simply remove it from the plastic bag and serve at room temperature.
