Traditionally, as part of that celebratory carnival, colorful king cakes are served at parties and gatherings.
Baking a baby into the cake wasnt common practice until the 1800s.
Hint: Its good luck!
Credit:BHG / Hugo Lin
BHG / Hugo Lin
What Is a King Cake?
The tradition of making and serving king cakes dates back to the origins of Mardi Gras itself.
However, the official season of Mardi Gras begins on January 6also known as Epiphany in the Christian tradition.
Credit:Rachel Marek
This is why the dessert is called king cake and why theres a tiny baby hidden inside.
The arrival of the three kings is also the reason its tradition toleave your Christmas tree upthrough January 6.
Entringer began baking the porcelain dolls into his king cakes to symbolize baby Jesus and the tradition was born.
Bakers havent looked back since.
Tradition dictates that finding the baby in your cake symbolizes luck and prosperity.
As such, the finder becomes the king or queen of the evening.
First, use oureasy king cake recipeto make and decorate your cake.
And that way, you wont accidentally hit the baby with your knife while youre slicing!
There are also popular variations filled with fruit, cream cheese, chocolate, or frangipane.
King cakes are traditionallyadorned in frostingor sugar colored with purple, green, and yellow or gold.
Purple is for justice.
Green is for faith or growth.
Gold is for power, prosperity, and wealth.
This will last up to three days.
Between the high quality ingredients used and the elaboratedecorating process, these cakes aren’t cheap to produce.
There is also seasonal demand during Mardi Gras, which raises the prices.
