King Cake A Royal Tradition

BY ROXANN RANKIN WICKER

Ah, Mardi Gras. The time of year when Mardi Gras balls, beads, parades, revelry, pageantry, indulgence and king cake come together as one. It provides us with a momentary escape from the reality and meaning behind Lenten season. One thing is certain, a slice of king cake provides satisfaction to our palate while reminiscing the past. This buttery, oval in shape, sweet roll, royal dessert is a tradition to all who are present for the carnival season of Mardi Gras. Like most of us, as soon as we are weaned off the bottle, it is time to enjoy king cake. Generations of children have been raised on king cake during carnival season, respectively, school children are treated to a slice every Friday. Even so, you will find king cake set up on a tailgate of the parade route, or under a tent with friends and family, to enjoy.

King cake is everywhere!

The king cake dates back centuries to an ancient Roman festival which celebrated the solstice, adopted by Christianity, where versions are still found today. Back in early Roman times, a gold painted bean was hidden inside the cake to choose their queen.

Adopting the Christian calendar, the “Twelfth Day,” after Christmas is celebrated as the date the gift bearing Magi visited baby Jesus. On this date, January 6th, it is known by several names, “Epiphany,” “Twelfth Night” or “Kings’ Day.” This celebration has evolved over the many centuries and cultures have adopted their own traditions.

The New Orleans tradition, borrowed from European influences, is believed to have been brought over - depending on who you ask - from France or Spain in the 1870s. Once said to be filled with homemade fruit jams, an artistry of candied fruit adorned the top. As part of the past celebration, it is now tradition to honor the Three Kings, or the ‘King Cake.’

Most king cakes of the greater Gulf South are adorned with purple, green and gold. Each color represents a deeper meaning: purple illustrates justice, green is associated with faith and gold represents power. These colors were chosen to symbolize a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany. The symbolism is represented differently by each bakery, whether purple, green and gold icing, sprinkles or colored sugar.

There is no center to a king cake, but buried inside all that delicious batter, is a tiny, plastic baby figurine. In the mid-20th century, a New Orleans bakery started adding porcelain babies inside cakes. The porcelain soon became plastic, and the tradition was born. Traditionally, whomever finds the baby in their slice must bring the king cake for the following year. So, what exactly is a king cake and how is it made?

It is comprised of a sweet Danish dough or brioche. Today, the cakes are filled with delicious flavors of fillings for the discerning palate. Traditional plain cinnamon, chocolate, cream cheese filled, fruit filled, combination of cream cheese and fruit and, a personal favorite, pecan praline.

The diversity of cakes has its own bragging rights. Each has a unique baker with a unique personal narrative. Each cake made is an extension of that baker and the story behind their lineage. Many aficionados line up in droves for their favorite king cake dough creations. If you find yourself unable to visit a local southern bakery, you can enjoy king cake through mail order. Most are do it yourself (DIY) with icing, sprinkles and colored sugar. Some arrive already decorated. Others have the baby inside the dough, meanwhile, some provide the baby as an option. Since the 1970’s Paul’s Pastry in Picayune has been a staple in the king cake game. Their customer base has grown exponentially and Paul’s has become a world famous bakery and offers a variety of king cakes online. With a hefty box filled with your king cake of choice, sugar and glaze decorating packet, this delivery option will put you in the festive spirit.

Locally, we have a few options that are mouthwateringly delish. You cannot go wrong with a Biloxi icon, Le Bakery, a Vietnamese bakery known for their king cakes and other pastries. They are soft, pillowy, and with their wide variety of fillings, they are exceptional. If you are in Jackson County, then you cannot pass up a visit to Anderson’s Bakery in Pascagoula. Timeless and traditional, their king cakes are consistently delectable.