Laissez les bon temps rouler!
It arrived via overnight shipping late last night in an unassuming package. By the time the New York sun allowed for photographs, it was almost half gone thanks to myself, and one other person. I won't incriminate this person for their own protection, but... HUSBAND. By this point in our marriage, I've schooled him on how to celebrate Mardi Gras repeatedly. At times, to his own detriment (enter hurricanes).
Mother knows best
So back to IT. A cloying, cinnamon roll cake hugged by sweet, succulent royal icing - called a King Cake - is the most edible symbol of Mardi Gras. The oblong cake is tradition for any N'awlins native, and the only place to buy one according to my Creole mother is from Haydel's Bakery. So that's what I do. In her early 20's she worked for a bakery supply company that sold direct to David Haydel. So that's always been that.
The season for this addictive delight begins on January 6th, the Epiphany or The Twelfth Night or King's Day in the Catholic faith (the night the Three Kings of Orient bestowed gifts on the newborn Christ). In the very beginning a coin was hidden in the dough, and the finder was crowned "king for the day". But enough history.
How to celebrate Mardi Gras from afar
If you opt for the deluxe package, your cake arrives toting French Market coffee with chicory, a glossy picture book, doubloons (parade souvenirs) and beads, no flashing required. Fun for little kids, and big ones, too. (I didn't get paid by Haydel's to write this, but I really should start looking into that type of income).
The sugar sprinkles on the cake are tinted purple, green, and gold to symbolize justice, faith, and power, respectively. Nowadays, revelers hold cake parties from the Epiphany through Mardi Gras. And a plastic baby has replaced the coin as the symbol of good luck.
Tip: Whenever a slice is cut, cheat and check the bottom for the baby. No luck so far here, literally. But we'll keep eating.
Last year, I actually baked one of these monstrosities myself. It is a process and a half. And even though I used a Haydel's recipe published by a New Orleans newspaper decades ago, it just wasn't the same. But still super fun! It was cake, after all.
The verdict
So when I compare my two Mardi Gras in New York experiences (baking versus buying), this year's wins out, beads down. No kitchen slavery, the necessary amount of cinnamon-sugary goodness, and of course the infamous beads. It's as close to the Crescent City this time of year as a roving Creole can get. At least until the last slice is gone and the baby revealed. Which unfortunately for my waistline won't be long.
local fencers
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Karen
We have passed the King cake season and you have made me want more. Your cake pictured is probably the prettiest I have seen. So until next year, I will visit your site and drool over the photo.
Living in NELA
Sir Barney Bailey
What a wonderful description of the overwhelming joy of presenting a "King Cake" to your fellow man, or woman. That being said, the photos were excellent and certainly demonstrated with clarity the unbelievable presentation provided by a "King Cake".
The only thing left to do is make a New Orleans Hurricane and let the party begin!
Sir Barney Bailey