New Orleans Vacation Idea: Taste the King Cakes of Mardi Gras in New Orleans

King Cake is a local New Orleans delicacy that accompanies Mardi Gras. Made of braided Danish pastry laced with cinnamon, the cake is enjoyed for breakfast and as a desert. King Cakes are often filled with apples, pecan pralines and cream cheese.

The cake is iced in the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Inside each cake is a tiny plastic baby. The one who finds it must buy the next King Cake or host the next party.

Some New Orleans bakeries ship King Cakes year-round, including Haydel's Bakery (800-442-1342) and Gambino's Bakery (800-426-2468).

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