King Cake
“The King Cake tradition came to New Orleans with the first French settlers and has stayed ever since. Like the rest of Mardi Gras during those early days, the king cake was a part of the family’s celebration, and really didn’t take on a public role until after the Civil War. In 1870, the Twelfth Night Revelers held their ball, with a large king cake as the main attraction. Instead of choosing a sacred king to be sacrificed, the TNR used the bean in the cake to choose the queen of the ball. This tradition has carried on to this day, although the TNR now use a wooden replica of a large king cake. The ladies of the court pull open little drawers in the cake’s lower layer which contain the silver and gold beans. Silver means you’re on the court; gold is for the queen.”
You know that in all of these years, I have yet to sample such a cake. I guess there is nothing wrong with me trying my hand at making one, but I am a bit of a disaster in the kitchen. And no I’m not kidding. I have even screwed up Jello. But who knows… now, I just might be able to pull it off.
Nah, probably not! ;)
History and a Recipe
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POSTED IN: Recipes, Southern Byways, Southern Food
1 opinion for King Cake
Bird Advocate
Jan 29, 2007 at 5:03 am
That’s a really beautiful cake. :-)
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