I became enthralled with King Cakes in the late 1980s while living in Texas. My husband purchased our first cake from Gambino’s Bakery while on a February business trip to New Orleans. I have always been thankful for that particular cake because it laid the foundation for future King Cake standards.
The oval ring of brioche-like dough is festive incarnate with three bands of colored sugar on top of white icing. I was instantly smitten and vowed to provide my family with a King Cake every year on Fat Tuesday (this year, Feb. 5).
Traditional New Orleans King Cakes and pancake suppers are integral parts of the Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, celebration before the dark days of Lent and more winter sets in.
The King Cake’s origins are religious, but it is tradition that keeps it popular. The cake is named for the Feast of the Three Holy Kings celebrated on Epiphany (Jan. 6), also called the Twelfth Day of Christmas.
In New Orleans and some countries around the world, a tiny plastic figure of a baby is placed inside the cake, representing the Christ child. Other cultures might place a coin or bean inside.
New Orleanians enjoy King Cakes beginning with Epiphany and every day thereafter until the partying climaxes on Mardi Gras. It is customary in many Louisiana schools and workplaces to have a daily King Cake party. Cakes are sliced to suit the number of guests, and whoever is served the baby figure has to bring the next day’s cake.
When my family moved to Colorado, a somewhat King Cake-less land, my mother-in-law sent Gambino’s. She once strayed from tradition and sent a boxed “King Cake” mix, ordered from the esteemed King Arthur Flour Co. in Vermont. I was doubtful but shrugged and thought, “How different can it be?”
What I should have been asking is, “What do New Englanders know about King Cakes?” I was left with a very fine coffee cake, but not a King Cake.
King Cakes are plentiful between East Texas and Alabama during the Epiphany season. It’s a simple matter of stopping by the grocery or bakery. Finding one in Colorado is harder, but possible.
If you’re a seasoned baker, make your own. Following a traditional Louisiana recipe is key. Your cake dough should be buttery and bready, and taste faintly of cinnamon. Ice the top with a simple white powdered sugar frosting.
Sprinkle the whole affair with sugars dyed in Mardi Gras colors: gold (power), green (faith) and purple (justice).
Insert 1-inch plastic baby, and serve. (Don’t bake the baby in the cake!)
And warn partakers that there’s a piece of plastic hidden somewhere in the cake. Allow yourself most of the day to make this yeast dough cake and read the recipe’s many steps beforehand.
If you’re just too busy, call one of the Denver-area bakeries listed here or order online from one of the trusted Louisiana bakeries.
In other parts of the world, Fat Tuesday is called Shrove Tuesday. Shrove is an old English word meaning to shrive, or give absolution after confession.
Historically, making pancakes was a way to rid the house of eggs, butter and sugar before Lenten abstinence, which in past, stricter fasting times meant no eggs, butter or sugar.
Churches across America still host pancake suppers as a kickoff to Lent. To make the most of this fun day, have pancakes for breakfast and King Cake for dinner — or vice versa.
Sheryl Butterfield is a freelance food writer based in Conifer.
Where to get a King Cake
Child’s Pastry Shops, 6460 E. Yale Ave., Denver, 303-757-1285; 311 E. County Line Road, Littleton, 303-347-0246
Rheinlander Bakery & Deli, 5721 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, 303-467-1810
Schmidt’s Bakery, 808 SW 14th St., Loveland, 970-667-9811
ONLINE:
Gambino’s Bakery, , 800-426-2466
Haydel’s Bakery, , 800-442-1342
Manny Randazzo King Cakes, , 1-866-456-1476
Local pancake suppers
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2201 Dexter St. (Park Hill neighborhood), Denver, 303-388-8372
5:30-7:30 p.m., come and go
Cost: free-will donation
St. John’s Cathedral, 1350 Washington St., Denver, 303-831-7115
5:30 and 7 p.m. seatings
Cost: $8 children, $12 adults
Sponsored by Snooze Restaurant, proceeds go to summer camp costs for local low-income families.
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 2425 Colorado Ave., Boulder, 303-443-2503
6-8 p.m.
Free (donation basket available)
St. Martha’s Episcopal Church, 4001 W. 76th Ave., Westminster, 303-429-0495
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Free (donations accepted)
