What Is a King Cake?
The king cake is a dessert with a rich history, and while it has evolved greatly over the centuries, the king cake is still a central part of pre-Lenten festivities today, most notably in New Orleans. New Orleans, with its strong French traditions, is known for its extravagant Mardi Gras festivities each year, and the king cake is a central feature of these Mardi Gras festivities. Those unfamiliar with these pre-Lenten festivities or the religious and historical significance behind the season may wonder "What is a king cake?" but the king cake is actually a central part of both the Christmas and pre-Lenten seasons in several primarily Catholic cultures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Time Frame
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King cake is generally eaten starting on Epiphany, or Three Kings' Day, all the way to Fat Tuesday, the eve of Ash Wednesday and the start of the fasting Lenten season. The cake is referred to as the "king" cake since Epiphany is associated with the Three Kings arrival in Bethlehem to honor the Christ child. In the U.S. the king cake is eaten throughout the pre-Lent season in celebration of Christ's birth and in preparation for Lenten fasting, though nowadays many people with non-Christian religious persuasions enjoy the king cake, too.
Features
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King cake can be made in a variety of ways, but the most popular king cake found in the U.S. is a circular ring made of braided Danish pastry with a cinnamon filling, with purple, green, and gold icing. These colors are associated with the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans and stand for justice, faith and power. A small plastic baby figurine, meant to represent Baby Jesus, is hidden in the king cake, and whoever finds the baby is supposed to host the next Mardi Gras party. Mardi Gras parties are common occurrences in New Orleans between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, and almost always feature a king cake.
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History
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Today's king cake is much different from the traditional king cakes that originated in Europe in the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages the Catholic faith placed great emphasis on the importance of the Three Kings, and Epiphany included celebrations, gift-giving, and of course, a king cake. While many European cultures developed their type of king cake, the present-day New Orleans king cake has its origins in the traditional French king cake, brought by the many French settlers to the region. A French king cake is made of brioche dough and is decorated with sugar, cherries and an apricot glaze, and while much less common than the cinnamon pastry king cake, can still be found in New Orleans specialty bakeries.
Significance
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The king cake is more than just a dessert for many Christians throughout the world. For many cultures the making and eating of the king cake is a religious celebration and includes religious symbolism centering on the Three Kings, Baby Jesus, the Christmas season and pre-Lenten preparations. The king cake, with its association with Mardi Gras in New Orleans, is enjoyed for weeks as many religions prepare for Lent and the fasting involved in the season of sacrifice.
Prevention/Solution
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While many long-time New Orleans residents have cherished family recipes for king cakes and still make them today, it is becoming more and more common to purchase king cakes at bakeries. King cakes are readily available from Christmas through the beginning of Lent in stand alone bakeries and supermarket bakeries. In New Orleans king cakes can be found in all shapes and sizes and with fillings like chocolate, pecan praline, cream cheese and blueberry.
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