We first published this article during Mardi Gras 2022. This year, we’re back with even more delicious King Cake options you can have shipped straight to you!
The revelry of Mardi Gras season is in full force, and it’s time to appreciate one of its most delicious traditions: the King Cake. In many European countries, the Wise Men bringing gifts for the baby Jesus is celebrated 12 days after Christmas, on January 6. Referred to as Epiphany or the Twelfth Night, this is a time of celebrating and feasting, and the official commencement of Mardi Gras or Carnival season.
The tiny plastic baby hidden inside each King Cake symbolizes this day, and King Cakes are enjoyed from the Feast of Epiphany (January 6) until Mardi Gras Day (a moveable date that always falls the day before Ash Wednesday and 46 days before Easter). The ring-shaped cake is covered in colored sugars: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.
Tradition says that if your slice has the baby in it, you will host the next party and provide the next King Cake. Others say it makes you King or Queen for the day. Whether you found the baby last year or you’re looking to win the day this time around, we’ve rounded up eight beloved King Cake bakeries around the South that offer shipping!
8 King Cakes to Order for Mardi Gras Season
Sucré | New Orleans, LA
What to order: Sparkle King Cake
A mainstay in the French Quarter, Sucré’s reputation precedes itself. True to its name (French for sugar), they offer up a variety of sweet treats, specializing in French macarons, artisan chocolates, hand-spun gelato, and custom cakes. So, naturally, they always have a gorgeous King Cake offering this time of year. This one is made with the classic combination of buttery braided dough and cream cheese filling — but it’s finished with a not-so-classic sparkling iced topping. Get a closer look at these sparkling beauties on Instagram.
Haydel’s | New Orleans, LA
What to order: Cream Cheese King Cake
A favorite among, well, everyone, Haydel’s offers an impressive selection of traditional, filled, colored, and specially shaped king cakes. Made fresh daily, these cakes start with Haydel’s signature Danish dough, hand-braided with cinnamon and sugar, baked to perfection, topped with rich icing, and lavishly adorned with purple, green, and gold sugar. The filled flavors range from praline pecan to strawberry cream cheese to German chocolate to brownie chocolate chip.
Lilah’s | Shreveport, LA
What to order: Fabulously Flavored King Cake
Lilah’s is known for its impressive variety of King Cake flavors. Apple, bananas foster, Bavarian cream, lemon, cinnamon sugar, Italian cream, tiramisu, and triple berry are some of the dozen-plus flavors coming out of this bakery’s kitchen. Lilah’s also features a flavored (and sometimes specially shaped) King Cake of the Week that will land right on your doorstep. They even offer vegan and gluten-free cakes.
Gambino’s Bakery | New Orleans, LA
What to order: Top-Your-Own King Cake Kit
This legendary New Orleans bakery has been serving up King Cakes since 1949. Made with fresh butter and sweet cinnamon, topped with an ample layer of poured fondant, and baked with a gold baby figurine inside, the iconic Gambino’s Bakery King Cake comes with a package of colored sugar so that you and your guests can do the honors of topping your cake in the purple, green, and gold of Mardi Gras.
Poupart Bakery | Lafayette, LA
What to order: Traditional French King Cake
This is THE place for the Traditional French King Cake. This one looks a little different than the others, as it’s a round puff pastry with creamy almond filling. This cake is designed to be heated in the oven, served warm, and enjoyed with coffee for breakfast! Both the French style and the traditional King Cake come in two sizes: the regular cake serves about 10, and the large serves about 20.
Antoine’s Bakery | New Orleans, LA
What to order: Strawberry Cream Cheese King Cake
With two locations in the New Orleans area, Antoine’s stays busy this time of year, serving up a variety of King Cakes available for fresh pickup daily. And while Antoine’s traditional King Cakes have quite the following, their strawberry cream cheese variation is popular enough that they’re willing to offer nationwide shipping! For fans of the tangy-sweet contrast of fruit and cream cheese, it’s a must-try.
Hero Doughnuts & Buns | Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; and Birmingham, AL
What to order: Brioche Bun King Cake
Hero Doughnuts & Buns is currently whipping up brioche bun King Cakes for Mardi Gras! Made with Hero’s signature brioche dough, “OG glaze,” cream cheese frosting, and sprinkles, this one isn’t from Louisiana, but it’s dang delicious. While Hero Doughnuts does not ship their baked goods nationwide, you can pick up or order local delivery from their five bakeries in Atlanta, Birmingham, and Charleston.
Caluda’s | Harahan, LA
What to order: Old School King Cake
Caluda’s King Cake is as traditional as it gets and a great bang for your buck! Their “Old School” version of the King Cake pays homage to the original New Orleans style before everyone started using icing and fillings. This one’s made with a simple sweet Danish dough and a little butter, cinnamon, and vanilla. The difference is it’s baked with colored sugars already on top instead of icing and sprinkling the cake after it bakes.
Laissez les bons temps rouler and let them eat King Cake!
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