The History of the King Cake

The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th

Century. In European countries, the coming of the three wise men bearing

gifts to the Christ child is celebrated twelve days after Christmas, called the

Feast of the Epiphany, Little Christmas on the Twelfth Night, or King’s Day.

The most popular custom is the baking of a special cake in honor of the

three kings... a “Kings Cake.” These cakes were made round to portray the

circular route used by the wise men. This route was taken in order to

confuse King Herod who was trying to kill the

Christ child.

In early European king cakes, a bean, pea, or coin was hidden inside the

dough and the person who got the piece was declared king for a day, or

was said to have good luck in the coming year. The Latin Americans;

however, put a small figure inside the cakes representing the Christ child.

The tradition has now evolved that the person who gets the baby is

expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next king cake

party. Starting the twelfth day after Christmas, king cake parties continue

until the first day of Lent, ending on Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi

Gras day!

King cakes were first introduced with little decorations on a simple ring of

dough. The New Orleans style king cake is brightly decorated with the

traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple, representing justice; green,

representing faith; and gold, representing power. Our fresh baked king

cakes are part of another fine Louisiana tradition. So get into the Mardi

Gras spirit and order your king cake today!