King Cake, the colorful, ring-shaped sweet brioche dough cake with a hidden treat inside, is associated with the celebration of Mardi Gras as much as beads and booze. This Tuesday, March 4, is Fat Tuesday, the biggest and most extravagant day of the entire month-long holiday. The tradition, tying back to New Orleans’ French roots, marks the start of Mardi Gras and is served over the course of the celebration.
The cake is iced with sweet, creamy frosting, and decorated with green, yellow and purple sprinkles and icing. Inside the cake, there is a miniature plastic baby doll. Whoever is lucky enough to find the doll in their slice of cake is crowned the king or queen of the day.
Even though several hundreds of miles stand between Boston and New Orleans, nothing can stand between you and King Cake. So in honor of Mardi Gras, we’ve rounded up some local food retailers and delivery options to help you get your King Cake fix.
With locations in both Beacon Hill and Chestnut Hill, this authentic Parisian bakery offers a Galette des Rois, or a classic French take on the Mardi Gras king cake. This version is shaped more like a pie with a flaky top layer and crust, and is filled with an almond cream.
Stop by one of the many Whole Foods locations in and around the city to pick up your very own festive king cake. There are over 14 locations in the Greater Boston Area, so there’s bound to be one right in your backyard. They are selling fast, especially in their smaller locations like the Whole Foods Market in Brookline.
This second generation bakery is located in New Orleans, and ships their king cakes all across the country. Manny Randazzo is favorited for the cinnamon fillings and deliciously sweet icing. Your cake’s price includes next day shipping, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth just in time for Fat Tuesday!
Haydel’s Bakery also offers delivery right to your doorstep in Boston! Their king cakes are known as being some of the best in all of New Orleans, and are even sold year round. Haydel’s allows you to customize your cake with a specific filling, ranging from strawberry cream cheese, praline pecan, and even chocolate chip brownie.
Image via Rhodes Breads
