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The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat
Tuesday, February 16, the day before Ash Wednesday. During this time of
year, one of the most beloved traditions in New Orleans is that of the King
Cake.
On the Christian calendar, the twelfth day after Christmas is known as
"Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day." It is the day the gift-bearing
Magi visited the baby Jesus, and is celebrated with its own unique rituals.
Tuesday, February 16, the day before Ash Wednesday. During this time of
year, one of the most beloved traditions in New Orleans is that of the King
Cake.
On the Christian calendar, the twelfth day after Christmas is known as
"Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day." It is the day the gift-bearing
Magi visited the baby Jesus, and is celebrated with its own unique rituals.
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Mardi Gras King Cakes
The New Orleans tradition, begun in the 1870s, borrows heavily from European customs. As part of the celebration
of Mardi Gras, it is traditional to bake an oval cake in honor of the three kings - the King Cake. The shape of a King
Cake symbolizes the unity of faiths. Each cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple represents
justice, green represents faith and gold represents power. A small baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is baked into
each 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 whose slice of cake the baby will be discovered. While custom
holds that the person who finds the baby in their slice 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, cream cheese and fruit toppings, all
topped with icing, and sprinkled with purple, green, and gold colored sugar.
We let you hide the baby in cake to add to your own enjoyment of the celebration.
of Mardi Gras, it is traditional to bake an oval cake in honor of the three kings - the King Cake. The shape of a King
Cake symbolizes the unity of faiths. Each cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple represents
justice, green represents faith and gold represents power. A small baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is baked into
each 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 whose slice of cake the baby will be discovered. While custom
holds that the person who finds the baby in their slice 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, cream cheese and fruit toppings, all
topped with icing, and sprinkled with purple, green, and gold colored sugar.
We let you hide the baby in cake to add to your own enjoyment of the celebration.