Calling all King Cake lovers!
Although this year’s carnival season is being celebrated a lot differently than the years past there is one steadfast tradition that has brought us all a little happiness and regularity, KING CAKES!
Every year as carnival season nears hungry Louisianians wait anxiously for the first batches of their favorite King Cakes to hit the shelves, while supermarkets and bakeries all over the state gear up for the king cake season rush.
With each year that passes the competition across the state gets stiffer as producers try to find new ways to catch the eye of hungry king cake coinsures by adding new and exciting flavors and twists to a time-honored tradition. Whether it’s traditional king cakes stuffed with new flavors, savory cakes stuffed with meats and topped with sauces, or other king cake inspired desserts like bread puddings, cheesecakes, or cocktails everywhere you look at this time of the year your stomach is sure to growl at the sites of all the delicious purple, green and gold creations!
Here in Louisiana’s Sweet Spot, we boast a variety of delicious locally made king cakes and treats.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular places to get king cakes around town as well as those making their mark with some new unique ideas!
Ralph’s Supermarket
With an impressive menu of 35 different flavors and an award-winning bakery staff Ralph’s Market King Cakes are a local favorite. Proclaimed this year as the KING of king cakes, Ralph’s Market makes 1500-1600 king cakes per day, with flavors like Mississippi Mud and Banana’s Foster only lasting minutes on store shelves. But have no fear, with just 24 hrs. notice your favorite flavor can be ordered online and picked up in store or shipped anywhere you’d like. Ask about their special promotion when shipping to troops overseas.
You can view all their flavors or order online here!
Harvest Supermarket
Harvest is a traditional local grocery store emphasizing quality goods and excellence in customer service. Their king cakes are made fresh in house and touted on their facebook by some as “the best ever”. With close to 30 different flavors you are sure to find one you like, but the fan favorite is definitely the Strawberry Cream Cheese. Harvest King Cakes can also be shipped.
View all the flavors here!
Houmas House and Gardens
In honor of this years “Yardi Gras” Houmas House and Gardens decided to get all dressed up!
This house float features fiberglass jesters each weighing in at 500 lbs. and 9 feet tall! Stop by for the decorations and stay for King Cake bread pudding! Yes, you read that right… In honor of carnival season guests can order Chef Jeremy Langlois twist on traditional king cake, King Cake bread pudding,
You can even download the recipe here if you want to try making it from home.
Sugarfield Spirits
One of Ascension Parish’s newest gems, Sugarfield Spirits, is a locally owned craft distillery that provides local flavor and Louisiana tradition in their handcrafted Spirits. In honor of this year’s carnival season their whipping up a King Cake theme cocktail of their own called the “King Cake Cream”. Stop in and grab a cocktail or a bottle of their Bourbon so you can make one at home!
Recipe: 2oz Sugarfield Bourbon, 1 oz Cream, 1/2 oz Cinnamon Simple Syrup. Shake in a shaker with ice, strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Grate cinnamon over the cocktail as a garnish.
Don’s Seafood – Gonzales
Don’s, has been letting the good times roll since 1934. This Mardi Gras you can enjoy their seasonal favorites – King Cake Martini and Bread Pudding.