King cakes are
associated with the festival of Epiphany, which is the end of the Christmas
season. It is commonly linked with the Pre-Lenten celebrations. The first king
cakes were dry French bread, topped with sugar, and a bean in the center. King
cakes aren’t restricted to be eaten by only Christians and Catholics. Most of
the people prefer to have king cakes in their parties and times of
celebrations.
The king cake history
dates back to 300 years ago. The original form of king cakes has undergone a
milestone of changes with different multiplicities depending upon the country
and the place. The initial cakes were made a mere ring of dough with few
decorations. However, the king cakes of today are braided and baked with a Baby
figurine inside.
The cake ring is
elaborately covered with sugar toppings, tasty additives, etc. The bakers are
getting creative with their talents to decorate the rings. The stuffing or the
fillings have also undergone many changes, with unique flavors and fruits. You
can order cakes online for your party or celebration as per
your preferences.
Types Of King Cakes:
Few king cakes are
made of sweet dough, shaped in a hollow circle, with colored sugar topping.
- The king cake can either be braided or made in different shapes.
- The shape will mimic the crown of a king in almost all the king cakes.
- King cakes can also be made up of a puff pastry with fillings inside it.
- The fillings are cream cheese, almonds, nuts, apple, pears, chocolate, etc.
- The most commonly used colors are green, gold, and purple.
- The colors represent strong emotions such as faith, power, justice, etc.
- Many bakers make the king cakes with a small figurine hidden inside it.
- The figurine will differ from one baker to the other and is mostly based on a famous cultural icon or a hit movie of the time.
- Sometimes the king cake will have a hidden Baby Jesus inside it.
- The Baby Jesus can be made up of plastic, porcelain, or even gold.
- The person who gets the king cake with the Baby Jesus will be bestowed with many privileges.
History Of King Cakes:
- The name “king cakes” was coined after the Biblical Kings of the olden days.
- The eve of the Epiphany is the Twelfth Night, counted from the Christmas Eve.
- The day is called as Mardi Gas or Fat Tuesday, which is the day before the start of Lent.
- It is also called as “Little Christmas.”
- It is 47 days before the “Easter Day.”
- It is a time of celebrations, festivity, exchange of gifts, and feasting.
- King cakes are popularly made during the Christmas season.
- Early January is the time of the year when the bakers start displaying their skills in making the king cakes.
- The king cakes are mostly available to eat until the start of Lent.
- However, many bakers take orders even throughout the year.
- The name of the cake changes across the different parts of the world.
- The cake can be made in various shapes, styles, flavors, decorations, colors, etc.
- The king cakes had originated in France and Spain, and slowly the tradition spread across the globe.
- The various places where king cakes are made and eaten by people are as follows:
·
Belgium
·
France
·
Quebec
·
Switzerland
·
Portugal
·
Spain
·
Greece
·
Cyprus
·
Bulgaria
·
New Orleans
·
Bay Saint Louis
·
Pensacola
·
Galveston
Religious Significance Of The King Cakes:
The day of Epiphany has great historical significance for the
Catholics. It marks the arrival of the kings of Bethlehem, who had delivered
gifts to the newly born Baby Jesus. It is the reason why a trinket or figurine
is placed in the center of the King cakes.
The person who finds the trinket or gets the slice of the
cake with the figurine inside it is supposed to be the lucky one! The person
will be considered to be the king of the day. It is said to bring good luck and
happiness in the life of the individual. The person is mostly made to get the
next king cake, in the party or celebration which follows.
Ordering The King Cakes:
King cakes are ordered by most people these days in parties,
office, social gatherings, etc. People from all over the world are placing the
order king cake. There are many bakers and confectioners who willing take up
the orders online
through bookthesurprise, throughout the year, making it convenient for
one and all.
You can conveniently order king cake online through the
various websites. They give the complete details about the kind of fillings
they offer, the toppings, the figurine, the colors and the flavors of the cake
for you!
The websites will also have the option of the payment to the
made either when you place the order online and also have the cash on delivery
options. The estimated time for the king cake delivery will be mentioned
online, and you can give you preferred date.
There are many recipes available online these days, which
will help you in making the DIY cakes at home. There will be a complete list of
ingredients required for the baking of the cake, the variations that can be
made, and the different decorating options. If you don’t wish to make the
figurine at home, you can purchase one from any store and place it in the center
of the cake.
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