You can’t do Mardi Gras without having King Cake, which is the official food of the Carnival Season. So here’s everything to know about the holiday tradition.
By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
As colorful decorated floats make their way through the crowded streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras you can be certain of a few things. You’ll collect a massive amount of cheap beads, you’ll have an unforgettable time and you’ll eat King Cake, which is a rich oval shaped doughy pastry stuffed with a variety of fillings such as cream cheese, fruit, cinnamon or chocolate. It’s then topped with festive icing in royal colors. Purple symbolizes justice, green signifies faith and gold is power.
But, that’s not all. Inside every cake is a small plastic baby. Whoever gets the slice with the baby will have good luck and prosperity. However, that person has to buy a King Cake for the next Mardi Gras social gathering.
Photo Courtesy of Manny Randazzo
FACTS ABOUT KING CAKE
–It’s believed France brought the King Cake tradition to New Orleans in 1870.
–According to some denominations of Christianity, the Wise Men met baby Jesus on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. This significant event is known as the Twelfth Night and it leads into the Epiphany, commonly referred to as Three Kings’ Day. Many observe this as a holiday and celebrate the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.
–The Twelfth Night kicks off Mardi Gras and King Cake season. Throughout this time the city celebrates with parades, parties and other events.
–Mardi Gras, meaning fat Tuesday in French, is actually only one day, which is always the day before Ash Wednesday–a time of prayer, fasting and repentance.
–Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which lasts 40 days and ends on Easter. During this period, people who follow certain denominations of Christianity, will give up something during this time in honor of the 40-day fast Jesus experienced in the Judaean Desert. So Mardi Gras season begins in January and ends before Lent starts.
–Mardi Gras and King Cake season is for people to let loose and party in preparation for the good behavior they must display during Lent.
WHEN DO YOU EAT KING CAKE?
–Some bakeries in New Orleans begin selling as early as December, but King Cake is always available at the start of the season–January 6th until Fat Tuesday, which marks the end.
–If you aren’t in NOLA during this time, don’t worry. Several bakeries offer fast delivery anywhere in the United States.
Photo Courtesy of Manny Randazzo
WHERE DO I BUY A KING CAKE?
—Manny Randazzo is one of the top spots to get King Cakes, but the line is around the corner during peak Mardi Gras times, so order early.
–However, New Orleans is filled with a number of delicious bakeries and restaurants who make the Mardi Gras pastry. You have plenty of options.
CAN I MAKE KING CAKE AT HOME?
–Yes! Here is Sucre’s award-winning recipe for inspiration this Mardi Gras season.
**THIS RECIPE MAKES 2 KING CAKES
King Cake RecipeDough
2/3 cup whole milk
5 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces, room temperature
Combine flour, sugar, salt, yeast and milk in a mixing bowl and mix on low speed till it comes together. As dough comes together, add 1 egg at a time then add butter gradually. Continue to mix at medium speed till smooth and elastic. Do not over mix.
Place in a clean bowl and wrap with plastic wrap, keep at room temperature and allow to double in size. When doubled, “punch down” to deflate, and wrap again to allow to rise again.
At this point, make the cream cheese filling.
Filling
8oz Cream Cheese (1 pack)
1ea Egg yolk
1/8 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Zest of 1 Lemon
Combine all ingredients and mix till smooth. Will be divided on 2 pieces of dough
Assembly
Roll dough to an even rectangle about ¼” thick. Cut into 2 lengthwise and pipe or spoon cream cheese filling on the upper 1/3 of each piece. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (1/2 cup sugar + 1tablespoon cinnamon)evenly. Roll each piece into a log and twist them together to form a braid. Shape into a ring sealing the ends well.
Proof to double in size and bake in preheated oven @360*F for 20-25 minutes or till golden brown on the bottom surface. If top is golden brown and bottom is still not baked, cover the top with foil and turn oven down to 325*F. Allow to cool before glazing.
Glaze
2 cups Powder sugar
1/2 cup Milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix all ingredients till smooth and coat top of cooled cake. Allow glaze to dry before serving.
KING CAKE RECIPE COURTESY OF SUCRÉ