Everyone should visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras at least once, whether you travel here solo, with a partner, or the entire family, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Don’t stress trying to figure out all the details, check out Your Guide to Mardi Gras 2020 for loads of tips and tricks. One of the many must-do’s of Mardi Gras is eating all of the delicious native cuisines and enjoying some drinks along the way. Many visitors love grabbing some food and a cocktail while watching the festive parades along St. Charles Ave. One famous treat that you’ll bound to come across during the Mardi Gras festivities is King Cake. Read on to learn some facts about this delicious traditional New Orleans treat.
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What Is a Mardi Gras King Cake?
The best way to describe this traditional Mardi Gras food, king cake is that it is a mix of cinnamon roll and coffee cake. On top, the cake smothered with white icing and colorful candies (purple, gold, green). Hidden in the middle of each cake is a plastic toy. Throughout New Orleans, it’s common to find some slight variations in king cake recipes. Some cake recipes call for cream cheese filling while others call for fruit filling. Try a few different styles and see which method you enjoy most! You can also find packaged king cake in the local food stores, so feel free to bring some home as souvenirs.
History of King Cake
The dessert is referred to as king cake because it’s symbolic of the biblical story about three wise men who visited baby Jesus after his birth. Also, the plastic toy hidden in the middle of each cake is a baby that represents a newborn Jesus.
Where Can I Find King Cake During Mardi Gras?
Traditionally, king cake is only available around the Mardi Gras Season. Sometimes you can start to find it in restaurants and food stores in as early as December. You can purchase king cake in many different bakeries, cafés, restaurants, and food stores scattered throughout New Orleans. Check out La Boulangerie located in the Garden District for a delicious take on king cake.
Other Tasty New Orleans Treats
While you’re at it, try some other tasty treats found in New Orleans. Beignets date back to the French colonists and is a deep-fried pastry, similar to a doughnut just without a hole. This treat, topped with powder sugar, is best enjoyed hot and goes great with coffee. Other familiar treats include banana fosters and snowballs.