It’s officially Mardi Gras season, and one of the best and most traditional ways to celebrate this time of year is with some King Cake! Or in my case, with quite a few King Cakes. Can’t stop, won’t stop.
I knew I wanted to do a post on my favorite King Cakes, but there was no way Shea and I could eat all of these cakes by ourselves. Actually, it might have been possible, but I didn’t want to test that theory out. So, I decided to throw a party for my girlfriends where we could all taste test this spread of King Cakes from all over South Louisiana.
The majority of these bakeries ship King Cakes all across the country. This is a great option if you are craving some real Louisiana King Cake and live out of town or if you want to share the love with others who don’t celebrate Mardi Gras as much as we do. Follow the links to see how to purchase!
One of my all-time favorite King Cakes is by Nonna Randazzo’s out of the Northshore/New Orleans area. Their signature white icing with sprinkles might look different than a traditional King Cake, but the flavor of the actual cake is absolutely delicious! I’m not a fan of the word ‘moist’, but this cake is soft and has the perfect texture. If you live in Baton Rouge, they are delivered fresh daily to Carnival Mart during the Mardi Gras season.
NONNA RANDAZZO’S (above) | WHOLE FOODS (below left)
My next favorite King Cake is a cream cheese filled cake from Poupart’s Bakery in Lafayette. Once I discovered this bakery a few years ago, I make sure to have multiple of these King Cakes during Mardi Gras. The sugar and icing create the perfect topping texture that has a sweet, but not too sweet, taste.
Another unique option from Poupart’s Bakery is the traditional French King Cake. It is made up of a round puff pastry with an almond filling (see it on the blue cake stand in the pictures below). Pop it in the oven to warm it up before serving, and oh. my. goodness!
SUCRE (below left) | ROUSES (below right)
If you don’t live in Louisiana but still want to partake in the King Cake festivities, Whole Foods Market offers their own version. I know it’s not local, but it’s at least an alternative if you don’t live anywhere that specializes in King Cakes or if you need a quick pick-up while you are already out grocery shopping. It is actually one of the prettier King Cakes I had at my party.
During the Mardi Gras season, there are also tons of other King Cake ‘inspired’ treats to choose from, and it’s fun to see people get creative with their rendition of a King Cake treat.
SUCRE MARDI GRAS MACARONS | BREW HA-HA CAKE BALLS | BLUE BELL KING CAKE ICE CREAM
There are so many different King Cakes to test in Louisiana that this list could go on and on forever. My friend Leslie, creator of the blog Southern Flair, put together this King Cake bucket list, so you can eat your way through the Red Stick’s best options this Mardi Gras season.
Don’t forget that if you are lucky enough to get the baby, you have to throw the next King Cake party! Let me know if there is a King Cake that I absolutely have to try before this year’s Mardi Gras season comes to an end!
YOU CAN FIND ALL OF MY MARDI GRAS CONTENT HERE AND IN MY GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS!
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER!
