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King Cakes
One of the most popular foods during Mardi Gras is the king cake, consumed by the carload and traditionally sold in bakeries, grocery stores and delis from January 6 to Ash Wednesday. Locals and visitors alike eat king cake for breakfast, coffee break, and dessert. In fact, almost any excuse to grab a slice will do.
The tradition of king cake dates back to the Middle Ages when a popular devotion during Christmas was placed on the Three Wise Men (or Kings) who followed the North Star to find Christ. The twelfth night after the birth of Christ marks the end of Christmas and the celebration of Epiphany. Thus, Twelfth Night in some cultures became a time for pageants and giving special presents to children. Along with gifts came the celebratory cake, or king cake.
Today's king cake is a confection made of braided Danish pastry, laced with cinnamon. It is always iced in the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power). Hidden in each king cake is a tiny plastic baby. The person who finds the baby must buy the next king cake or host the next party. Contemporary king cakes are often filled with cream cheese, fruit fillings, such as apple or strawberry, and other fillings.
New Orleanians love king cake for its taste and tradition. We invite you and your family to come to Mardi Gras to taste one for yourself or order from one of the providers below. |
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Croissant D'or Patisserie
617 Ursulines Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 524-4663
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: A romantic courtyard that is a lovely spot to sip strong coffee and munch on pastries. Lunch time has daily soup specials and hot croissant sandwiches, including one made with bechamel and Swiss cheese. For a sweet afternoon treat, try the raspberry tart or the strawberries Romanoff. |
Gambino's Bakery
4821 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA 70006 [Map It]
(504) 885-7500 , (800) 426-2468
www.gambinos.com
Neighborhood: Jefferson Parish
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: Gambino's ships king cakes year-round. |
Haydel's Bakery
4037 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, LA 70121 [Map It]
(504) 837-0190, (800) 442-1342
www.haydelbakery.com
Neighborhood: Jefferson Parish
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: A full-line bakery. Specialties are King Cakes, Cajun Kringles, Doberge, wedding cake and birthday cakes. Convention work and mail order year-round. We ship overnight air to your door. |
King Cakes Online
(504) 460-7127, (877) 261-0429
www.kingcakesonline.com
Neighborhood: Jefferson Parish
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: Over 20 different flavors of king cakes baked and shipped the same day. |
La Boulangerie
4526 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 [Map It]
(504) 269-3777
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: The St. Charles La Boulangerie serves coffee, breakfast and lunch. Some of the favorites at the downtown La Boulangerie include the hot open-face sandwich with bacon and blue cheese and hot soups changing daily and fresh bread. |
Manny Randazzo's King Cakes
3515 N. Hullen St., Metairie, LA 70002 [Map It]
(504) 456-1476, (866) 456-1476
www.randazzokingcake.com
Neighborhood: Jefferson Parish
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
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Maurice's French Pastries
1114 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 866-7052
Neighborhood: Mid-City
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: Maurice's pastry chef, Jean Luc, specializes in the kugelhopf, a pound cake with German origins. Try it in all sorts of varieties including white chocolate, white chocolate raspberry, lemon, chocolate chip or wild blueberry. The fruit tarts are also popular, and Maurice's makes wedding cakes to order. |
New Orleans Cake Cafe and Bakery
2440 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70117 [Map It]
(504) 943-0010
www.nolacakes.com
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
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The Praline Connection
542 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 943-3934
www.pralineconnection.com
Neighborhood: Faubourg Marigny/Bywater
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: The Praline Connection offers a variety of "soul food" recipes from three generations of great family chefs, including New Orleans gumbo, jambalaya, red beans & rice, smothered pork chops and famous pralines. |
Sucre
3025 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 520-8311
www.shopsucre.com
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Shopping Type/s: King Cakes
Description: New Orleans gets a little sweeter with Sucre, the Uptown sweet boutique. Sucre, the French word for sugar, features an assortment of handcrafted chocolates, fresh gelatos, one-of-a-kind pastry masterpieces and super-premium coffees. |
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