The short, happy tale of the Mardi Gras King Cake

    Everyone and his brother seem to be buying King Cakes these days.

    Grocery stores and bakeries can't keep them on the shelves in the Mardi Gras season.

    The cake is circular or oval-shaped and decorated in bright colors resembling a bejeweled crown.

    Like the traditional colors of Mardi Gras, the preferred colors of the King Cake are purple, representing justice; green signifying faith; and gold for power.

    Originally, the cake was baked on the eve of the Epiphany – the church feast day commemorating the 3 wise men's visit to the Christ child, 12 days after his birth. Thus, the King Cake is a way of honoring Christ the King.

    More on this intriguing story, plus an easy-to-follow King Cake recipe, can be found in the cookbook titled "𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘰𝘱 100 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦" (available in softcover and hardcover) from the publisher at www.acadianhouse.com/new-orleans. The King Cake goes back to 12th century France, and it was brought to Louisiana by French settlers in the 1700s.

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