Are you ready for Fat Tuesday? Whether you are hosting or attending a party make sure it is authentic by bringing a King Cake.
The King Cake is a Mardi Gras tradition and for those of you who don’t know it is a cinnamon-roll style cake with sugary or cream cheese icing topped with Mardi Gras colored sprinkled like purple, yellow, and green. Traditionally there is some sort of trinket baked within the cake, typically it is a small plastic baby representing baby Jesus. The King Cake derives from the biblical Three Kings, and the person who receives the slice of cake with the baby is declared the King or Queen of the day and is usually obligated to supply the next king cake or host the next party.
We have put together the list of local bakeries that who are offering King Cakes this Mardi Gras. Brown’s Court, Delish Bakery and Bistro, Saffron, and Rococo are offering King Cakes now through Tuesday but you must place your order in advance. Prices vary depending on the size of the cake; Rococo is offering one for $18 and Saffron is offering one for $14.95. None of these bakeries are including the baby. You have actually missed your chance to get a King Cake, baby included, because Wild Flour was taking orders for them last week only.
If you prefer to have King Cake delivered straight from New Orleans check Haydel’s Bakery, who will ship their cakes overnight.
Talented enough or brave enough to bake your own, then here is a online recipe that seem do-able for beginners.
Regardless of where you get your King Cake enjoy it and be careful not to choke on baby Jesus. Love Best of Charleston? Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.