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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.
3 editor picks for King cake in New Orleans, ranked by editorial score. All New Orleans signature dishes · King cake across every city.
Dong Phuong in New Orleans is the James Beard America's Classics Vietnamese bakery on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East, with the city's most-demanded.
TipKing cake sales run January 6 to Ash Wednesday only; lines form before opening on weekends.
Bywater Bakery in New Orleans is the Dauphine Street corner bakery cafe in Bywater, with king cakes, breakfast plates and the Chantilly cream cake from baker.
TipKing cakes are seasonal between Twelfth Night and Mardi Gras; the chantilly cream slice runs year-round.
Haydel's Bakery just outside New Orleans on Jefferson Highway is the family-run king cake institution since 1959, with traditional cinnamon-braided king.
TipOrder online for nationwide shipping in Carnival season; the original Jefferson store also stocks daily.
King cake makes more sense with someone from New Orleans explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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