The King Cake tradition came to New Orleans with the French settlers around 1870, continuing a custom dating back to twelfth century France. Thousands of King Cakes are made and eaten during Maddi Grais each year in New Orleans, Louisiana. The traditional shape is much like a rather large donut. The dough is similar to a brioche but with a bit of cinnamon.
In each cake after it is baked a plastic baby is put inside that represents the Baby Jesus. Hiding the baby represents how baby Jesus was hidden away in the manger. Whom ever get the baby has to make or buy the cake for the next year.
The cake is decorated with a light glaze then sprinkled with colored sugar in the Mardi Grais colors of: Purple represents justice & Frankincense, Green represents faith & Myrrh and Gold represents power & royalty. The filling is usually a fruit or jam. Mine is Gluten Free and filled with Black Currant and Marion Berry. King Cake is traditionally served with chicory coffee as "Coffee' au lat"
Sunday, February 15, 2009
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