In it’s traditional form, the king cake is an oval-shaped braided cake similar to a coffee cake which has cinnamon within the braids and is decorated with icing and sugar the colors of gold (God’s power), green (faith in Christ), and purple (Justice of God) – and contains a tiny plastic baby symbolic of the Baby Jesus usually baked within but sometimes placed within the cake after it has been baked.
The origin of the king cake is bound by religious tradition. It’s not surprising that the origin of the modern king cake can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when popular devotion during Christmas not only centered on Jesus Christ, but, also included an interest in the “Three Wise Men,” or “kings,” who had followed a star leading them to pay homage to the Christ Child. The “Epiphany,” a Christian festival held on January 6th honors the “Three Wise Men” for having sought the worlds’ Savior. It is also referred to as “Twelfth Night” since it arrives 12 days after Christmas. As such, the English definition of the term “epiphany” is “a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or transparent.
The king cake has evolved in many different ways to also feature a number of fillings such as apple, cherry, lemon, bavarian and strawberry. If that’s not enough, many of our creative culinary gurus in the city have developed their own unique version of the king cake. Boudin, crawfish and banana foster king cakes are all in play and are super popular during this time of year.
Every king needs a queen. There is a queen cake and if you never had one, you are missing a “sweet” treat. The queen cake combines five fillings – lemon, cherry, bavarian cream, strawberry and apple! It makes for an amazing experience and there’s only one place you can get them in the entire city. In box me and I will let you in on the secret!
Need to get king cakes out to your premier clients? Out of town and want a king cake shipped to your door? Check out Big Easy King Cakes @ bigeasykingcakes.com – shipping authentic New Orleans cakes nationwide.
Krista Pouncy-Dyson
Managing Principal
Performance First Digital
