Google+ Southern Delicacy: King Cake - Southern Weddings

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When my sister and I were younger, we bickered a lot. Every Mardi Gras, especially, we would argue about who would get the baby in their piece of king cake. One year, my mom must have had enough, because she went all King Soloman on us, and cut the baby in half, then placed half a baby in each of our pieces of cake! We were both a bit in shock! This must sound so bizarre, especially if you don’t know about king cakes, but allow me to explain!

Mark Eric Photography

In the South, particularly Mobile, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Louisiana, the king cake is a Mardi Gras tradition. Normally served on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), the king cake is a ring of twisted sweet bread topped with icing or sugar. Depending on how you feel about such things, they can look either festive or garish, because they’re usually colored purple, green, and gold with food coloring.

Placed underneath or inside of the cake is a small plastic baby, said to represent Baby Jesus. Tradition says that the person who gets the piece of cake with the baby receives good luck for the coming year, AND they’re responsible for buying the cake the following year. Who knows why my sister and I would argue so much over that tiny baby — I guess just because the other one wanted it so much!

Images from Brown Eyed Baker

To me, king cakes have a delicious, yet not overly sweet taste that is absolutely divine! Think cinnamon roll or sweet cake without as much cinnamon or sugar.

Do you love king cake? Have you incorporated it or will you incorporate it into your wedding day? Maybe as an alternative groom’s cake?

Think you’ve got what it takes to make this sweet tradition? I stumbled upon this traditional recipe from Brown Eyed Baker for y’all. If you try it, be sure to let me know how it comes out!

P.S. Join in the Mardi Gras party with these past posts!
Emily’s Mardi Gras Inspiration Board
My tradition + inspiration post
Nicole’s Color Palette Finds

marissa Written with love by Marissa
1 Comment
  1. avatar Inspiration Board :: Mardi Gras | Elizabeth Ashleigh reply

    […] Mardi Gras Mojito, Invitation {row 2} place setting, beads and baubles {row 3} shrimp etouffee, king cake, subway art {row 4} cake […]

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