NOLA’s Love Affair With King Cakes
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Life in New Orleans in steeped in tradition. One very strong tradition is Mardi Gras. We take Mardi Gras very seriously. And with Mardi Gras comes king cakes. King cake season officially begins on January 6 (Twelfth Night, the day of the Epiphany). Click here for a full history of king cakes. I am grateful king cakes are not offered year ’round. There’s something special about knowing you can only get them for a few weeks out of the year. (Although technically, I think some sell year round, I only enjoy them when the season is officially upon us).
There are king cakes, and then there are king cakes. They are NOT all created equally. And folks have favorites and opinions about those favorites. Many loved McKenzie’s; I found them a bit dry, and those cherries on top grossed me out. But for its fans, there is nothing that matches. Some will argue that La Louisiane’s brioche version comes the closest. I like Haydel’s–not too much icing and always super fresh and moist. Others swear by Randazzo’s, but theirs has too much icing for my taste.
Yesterday in the office, three king cakes were provided to us. They were from Wal-Mart. Initially, I turned my nose up at them. Wal-Mart for king cake? Blasphemy. But a co-worker and fellow foodie assured me that Wal-Mart’s king cakes were good. So I sampled. And was delighted. It was a good, moist dough and not too much icing.
I am a traditionalist. I like my king cake plain. I don’t care for them stuffed with cream cheese or pecan praline or strawberry or lemon. That just makes the cakes gooey and overly sweet.
I also like Haydel’s collectible porcelain figures that go with their king cakes–all New Orleans-themed. Like 2007′s Blue Roof Guy and decorated FEMA trailer.
And if you think I’m exaggerating about how serious we New Orleaneans take our king cakes, then why are all of these folks (like her, and him, and him and her) blogging about them? At my office, we send them out to clients as a thank you the way other firms send out gift baskets at Christmas.
So get out there and sample them all and let me know which is your favorite. And if you are not in the NOLA area, fear not! Several of the bakeries will deliver their cakes to your door with beads and chicory coffee to give you the full New Orleans experience.
We are partial to Randazzo’s, love all the icing. Haven’t tried Haydel’s yet. We’ve also ordered from Gambino’s which was very good too. I am a traditionalist too and prefer mine plain…no filling, no pralines….we have several friends now that look forward to this time of year because they know we order King cakes! My son has been taking a King Cake to school for Mardi Gras every year and has educated the entire school on the tradition. He is at a new school this year and is so excited to bring his cake in for all the kids who have never heard of it. Tomorrow we have our Alternative Spring Break meeting and I am bringing a King cake to the meeting for all the students because we will be coming down to NOLA for a week over spring break to volunteer with the re-building.
Tried a Rouse’s one recently, and it was good. I’m not a big one for the fillings, either, but I like Haydel’s German Chocolate. For a while, I swore by the ones from the Swiss bakery, but I haven’t had one of theirs in years…
[drool]
Cake! Got my post on the subject up now.
Pass on the King Cakes.. point me to Felix’s.
Dude, we need to get out and try some of the other king cakes. I totally forgot about Haydel’s collectible figures. I usually pass them by, because the lines are so long, but they do make a mean cake.
Like Liprap, I found the Rouses’ one was pretty good, but we didn’t eat all so it went stale. I know blasphemy!
We usually ship Gambino’s. And I forgot about the cherries on the Mackenize ones. Who sells them, now?
Now I am craving a damn king cake. I hope we were on that mailing list. Nothing beats a king cake, but a free one.
I have ordered mine. Since we are in “healthy food only” mode chez moi, I will have to wait for my birthday for it, though. (The rule is that birthday cake is grandfathered in, no matter ow unhealthy, because it only happens on specail occasions.) It will come from Randazzo’s, dripping in sugary glaze, with no filling. Just perfect.
Maybe just small blasphemy, but ours is a Whole Foods king cake. Not being from here, we just don’t know all the hot spots to buy them. In fact, sadly, after a year and a half here, I’ve never heard of any of the places you mentioned (besides Walmart, where truly, I’d probably never eat food from). But I’m with you, I’d prefer them not filled and not overly iced.
I forgot! My first king cake this year was from Dorignac’s and it was pretty good.
Last night on Steppin’ Out Lorin Gaudin did a segment on King Cakes. Of course, Randazzo’s and Haydel’s were mentioned. Antoine’s Bakery in Gretna makes a Queen’s Cake that is fantastic, which she mentioned. But if you don’t like filled cakes you probably wouldn’t like it. She mentioned that Whole Foods cake was really yummy…enough so that I plan to pick one up and try it. I never liked McKenzies either…too dry. If pressed to pick a favorite it would be Randazzo’s pecan praline filled. YUM!
Tonight we had one from Odelice (the little bakery on Magazine near State) and it was great – check it out if you have a chance.