King Cakes are a big part of the Mardi Gras tradition, dating back to the Twelfth Night, which honors the three kings that were present at the birth of Christ. January 6, the Twelfth Night after Christmas, is also the day Mardi Gras season begins. Mardi Gras Day is always 47 days prior to Easter Sunday.http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/kingcakes.html
A king cake is not a traditional sponge cake. It is a twisted bread akin to a cinnamon roll dough. Favorite fillings include cream cheese, praline, strawberry and blueberry. It is then covered in a sweet frosting glaze and green, purple, and gold colored sugar is sprinkled on top.NovaReinna: King Cake
The Baby in the King cake
The baby hidden in the cake is the reminder the three Kings had a difficult time finding the Christ Child and of the gifts they brought. It is tradition of Mardi Gras that whoever is served the piece of king cake with the baby inside is declared King or Queen of the day, and is required to host the next party and serve king cake.NovaReinna: King Cakehttp://www.mardigrasdigest.com/html/history_of/history_of_the_king_cake.htm
Featured Video: Meche's Donut King Makes King Cakes
King Cake season starts January 6th but the bakery in this video makes them year round. During the Mardi Gras time of year the bakery makes up to as many as 300 cakes per day. The video shows industrial size mixing of the cake dough and the cakes being braided at a record speed.
References
Fast Facts
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Brought to New Orleans by the French in 1870Gumbo Pages: King Cake
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Originated to celebrate the coming of the magi, who came twelve days after Christmas bearing gifts for the Christ childNovaReinna: King Cake
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A small plastic baby is hidden within the cake
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Resembles a rich, sweet bread
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Decorated in Mardi Gras colors of green, purple, and gold
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Traditional cakes contain various fillings
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Should not be prepared before Twelfth Night (January 6) or after Mardi GrasGumbo Pages: King Cake
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