King Cake

Mardi Gras King Cake

It wouldn't be Mardi Gras without a King Cake or two ten!

King cakes commemorate the Epiphany, a celebration of the Wise Men's discovery of baby Jesus. A small plastic baby is tucked inside the cake, bringing the finder good luck and the task of supplying the next cake. Believe me when I say there will be a next cake, since they are eaten everyday during the season of Epiphany that begins 12 days after Christmas and lasts until Mardi Gras. A tradition I can fully immerse myself in.

Who knows King Cake better than New Orleans native Chef John Besh? No one I know of. Made from a soft, buttery brioche dough with copious amounts of cinnamon and lemon zest, the cinnamon fiend in me rejoiced.

Covered in a confectioners' sugar icing and decorated with colored sugars to represent justice, faith and power, this is a cake you will revel in eating every day. It is everything anyone could ask for in a coffee cake and more. I don't think I would get sick of it. In my version there's a decadent strawberry jam cream cheese filling and half whole wheat flour in the batter. It is the most perfectly delicious thing to accompany a cup of coffee or tea.