It’s the new year which means it’s king cake time. The sweet is eaten for both Epiphany — aka Three Kings’ Day — and Mardi Gras and the Carnival season.
The sweet, colorful, typically ring-shaped, brioche-based cake stuffed with cream or fruit fillings usually includes a randomly placed plastic baby. Whoever finds the figurine in their portion is deemed the “king” of the day, but also has to purchase next year’s cake. There are also other global versions: there’s the French galette des rois, which is a flakier version with frangipane almond cream with a hidden bean instead of a baby figurine; and then there’s the Spanish rosca de reyes that is topped with icing and candied fruit.
Many Austin bakeries and restaurants are selling king cakes/galette des rois/roscas de reyes through the end of Carnival. Epiphany took place on January 6; Carnival began that same day and runs through Mardi Gras on Tuesday, February 13.
In Austin, find New Orleans-sourced cakes at Cypress Grill, options from Sawyer & Co., findking cakes at Stuffed Cajun Meat Market, among others. For additional king cake needs, look to local supermarkets, grocery stores, and markets such as H-E-B, Central Market, and Wheatsville.
Read More