The King Cake Guide

Everything you need to know about Carnival's signature dessert. We don't publish "best of" rankings we can't back up — this is a straightforward guide.

What is king cake?

King cake is a ring-shaped sweet bread or pastry eaten during Carnival. It's tied to Epiphany (Jan. 6), the feast of the three kings, which is why the season, and king cake, starts on Twelfth Night. For 2027 that window runs from Jan. 6 through Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 9.

The baby

A small plastic baby (or another trinket) is hidden in or packaged with the cake. By custom, whoever finds it brings the next king cake or hosts the next party. Many bakeries now pack the baby separately instead of baking it in. If it is inside, watch for it, especially with kids.

Common styles

How to buy one

• Order ahead for weekend parties and the final week of Carnival.
• Grocery stores carry them all season. Neighborhood bakeries often have the most variety.
• Shipping: many bakeries ship nationwide during Carnival. Check cut-off dates and expect to pay for expedited shipping.
• Freshness: eat it within a day or two, or freeze slices.

Jefferson Parish promotes itself as the "King Cake Capital" and publishes an interactive king cake guide [1].

The colors

The purple, green and gold you'll see everywhere — on king cake sugar, beads and flags — are Carnival's traditional colors.

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