Verified in New Orleans.
King cake is a signature dish of United States; we have verified places to eat it in New Orleans. A ring-shaped braided brioche, glazed and sugared in purple, green and gold (the Mardi Gras colours), with a small plastic baby hidden inside. Start with where to eat King cake in New Orleans.
A ring-shaped braided brioche, glazed and sugared in purple, green and gold (the Mardi Gras colours), with a small plastic baby hidden inside. Whoever gets the baby buys the next cake.
King cake came to New Orleans via French and Spanish Catholic tradition of celebrating Epiphany (Twelfth Night, January 6) with a galette des rois. The Mardi Gras colours of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power) were chosen in 1872 by the Krewe of Rex. The plastic baby inside (representing the Christ Child) was added by McKenzie's Bakery in 1937 to lift the dish. Modern New Orleans now has two giants: traditional cinnamon-braided king cakes from Haydel's and Randazzo's, and a Vietnamese-American king cake from Dong Phuong Bakery in New Orleans East. The season runs January 6 through Mardi Gras.
Where to eat in New Orleans:
Where to eat King cake in New Orleans: the editor picks
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