Mardi Gras Season-King Cakes

The coming of the wise men bearing gifts to the Christ Child is celebrated twelve days after Christmas.   This is referred to as the Feast of the Epiphany or Little Christmas on the Twelfth Night.  This is a time of celebration, exchanging gifts and feasting.  The tradition continues today as people all over the world gather for fest Twelfth Night celebrations.  A popular custom was and still is the baking the of a special cake in honor of the three kings called a King's Cake.

Inside every cake is a tiny baby (generally plastic now, but sometimes this baby might be made of porcelain or even gold). The tradition of having King Cake Parties has evolved through time, and the person who receives the slice of cake with the baby is asked to continue the festivities by hosting the next King Cake party.

Originally, King Cakes were a simple ring of dough with a small amount of decoration. Today's King Cakes are much more festive. After the rich Danish dough is braided and baked, the "baby" is inserted. The top of the ring or oval cake is then covered with delicious sugar toppings in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold.

In more recent years,  bakeries have been creative with stuffing and topping their cakes with different flavors of cream cheese and fruit fillings.  The baby no longer comes inserted, you must insert it yourself.

January 6, the Twelfth Night after Christmas, is also the day  Mardi Gras season begins. Mardi Gras Day is always 41 days prior to Easter Sunday (Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday).  With the start of Mardi Gras season comes the start of King Cake season!