Parades, beads, crawfish, and day-drinking might not be a part of Dallas life but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Mardi Gras with your family at home. I would dare to say that aside from parade festivities, King cake is the star of Mardi Gras season. Cinnamon swirled with fluffy bread and covered in a thick glaze topped with festive sprinkles? You can eat it for breakfast, a sweet snack, or pair it with your morning cup of coffee. A multipurpose treat to ring in a season of partying? Sign me up!
History of King Cake
Mardi Gras season traditionally starts on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas, the celebration of the Epiphany. The Epiphany is the celebration of the three kings bearing gifts in honor of the birth of Jesus. The season is celebrated until Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday when the season of Lent begins. To celebrate the Epiphany, the three kings, and the season of Mardi Gras has become a tradition to bake a cake. The cake is an oval in shape to represent the unity of faiths, drizzled with confectioners sugar icing, and decorated with sprinkles in purple (representing justice), green (representing faith), and gold (representing power). Inside the cake a small figurine of a baby is hidden, representing the baby Jesus. The person who finds the baby Jesus in their slice of King Cake is thought to be rewarded with good luck and traditionally is responsible to bring the King Cake to the next party.
Now onto the good stuff, here’s how to get this delicious treat into your own home to celebrate Mardi Gras this winter!
Make Your Own King Cake at Home
If you want to try your hand at making your own, or even get the kids involved, these are two really great options!
King Cake Recipe by Joy the Baker
{More Mardi Gras Family Fun!}
New Orleans Bakeries
These traditional New Orleans bakeries will ship the real deal straight to your door!
- Manny Randazzo
- Haydel’s Bakery
- Gambino’s Bakery
- Clauda’s King Cake
- Party Palace
- Bywater Bakery
- Brennan’s Restaurant
- Twins Burgers & Sweets
- Gerald’s Donuts
- Pouparts Bakery
Dallas Bakeries
Don’t miss these local Dallas bakeries who make a delicious pastry!
There you have it folks! Get yourself a King Cake and celebrate a little. Laissez bon temps rouler – Let the good times roll!
