Mardi Gras is right around the corner, on March 1st to be exact, so if you plan to celebrate better get your King Cakes ordered and start collecting your beads!
What is a King Cake you ask? It is a round pastry covered in thick frosting and decorated in purple, green, and yellow sugars and are part of Mardi Gras celebrations around the country.
Many King Cakes are baked with a plastic baby inside. This tradition started in New Orleans. Southern Living explains the tradition, stating a bean or ring placed inside during the commemoration of the king’s ball and whoever found the bean or trinket in his or her slice of cake would be crowned the king or queen of the balls leading up to the lavish finale on Mardi Gras.
Typically, the cake is colorful, covered with thick frosting, and decorated with colorful sugar sprinkles. There is also a baby inside. Not a real one of course, but a toy. The small baby symbolizes Jesus and is hidden in the king’s cake. If your slice has the baby, it symbolizes luck and prosperity. I never got the baby on the cake, but I think my time will come soon. If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras with a fun King Cake, here are 6 spots to buy a King Cake in Charlotte, North Carolina.
