Most people think of Mardi Gras as our season of merriment before Lent. Still, many of our traditions, such as the sweet and decorative king cake, actually begin with Christmas.
King cakes date back to 12th century France when a cake was baked on the eve of Jan. 6 with a small token hidden inside. Whoever got the token in his or her slice became the royalty of the night. The original French cakes, known as the galette des rois, were round, reflecting the route taken by the Magi to confuse King Herod, whose army was following the Wise Men.
The Louisiana king cake tradition differs from France. Louisiana king cakes are oval and decorated in the Carnival colors of purple, green and gold, which represent justice (purple), faith (green) and power (gold). Some are plain with only decorated sugar on top while others are filled with wonderful things like cream cheese, fruit preserves and praline filling. Lafayette's culinary scene can be inventive, so don't be surprised to find king cake bread pudding on a menu and other variations such as the king cake martini.
For a list of places making king cakes, and those that deliver, see below.
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Cajun Market Donut Company
(337) 706-7970
Broussard, LA 70518
(337) 839-0610
Recommendation: "We usually stay open extended hours during king cake season because of the demand. Our Turtle King Cake does extremely well. It's a traditional king cake, but it's topped with chocolate, drizzled with caramel, sprinkled with pecans and sprinkled with a white gloss. And that's just the outside! You can get that filled with any filling you want!"
Champagne’s Market
454 Heymann Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 235-4114
Crystal Weddings
Various Locations (see below)
(337) 989-1700
Recommendation: "We're in a number of different stores across Acadiana. Even if you can't make it into a bakery that sells king cakes, you'll still be able to shop local! We're even on Waitr! Our king cakes can be found at:
- The Best Stop
- Billy's Boudin
- Cajun Market Meats
- Chop's Specialty Meats
- Don's Specialty Meats
- Earl's Cajun Market
- Little Veron's
- Ray's Quick Stop
- Hebert's Specialty Meats
- Joey's
- Johnston Street Java
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 406-9066
Recommendation: "We have a Wedding Cake flavor, as well as a Brownie flavor for our king cakes and those, seem to be especially popular."
Great Harvest of Acadiana
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 236-8966
Recommendation: "We'd recommend our Cinnamon Burst Extreme. It's cinnamon bread, cinnamon chips with a cinnamon and brown sugar filling."
Handy Stop Market
444 Jefferson St, Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 534-4639
Recommendation: "We carry Village Deaux King Cakes for pick-up. If you haven't had one you're in for a real treat!"
Indulge
1921 Kaliste Saloom Rd #111, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 534-8700
Recommendation: "While our Mardi Gras Cream Cheese Cake is always a favorite we do have Mardi Gras Hot Chocolate Bombs for when it's cold outside that is always a hit with the kids!"
Keller's Bakery
Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 235-1568
Recommendation: "You'd want to try our Cinnamon Butter flavored king cake. And if you order one, you'll definitely want a large."
Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 232-3782
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 981-4918
Recommendation: "We'd say go with the classic Bavarian Cream or Strawberry Cream Cheese. They're probably our most popular."
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 232-7921
Recommendation: "Not too many people know about our Cookies & Cream option for our king cake, but the ones that do absolutely love it."
Reve Coffee Lab
1042 Camellia Blvd #6, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 889-5782
Recommendation: "You’ve heard the traditional vs. donut argument in the king cake arena, now prepare to consider both of those obsolete! We're putting the “king” in “king cake” with these fabulous milk bread king cakes, now available for only $18 in limited quantities with weekly flavor options."
Rickey Meche's Donut King
2605 Kaliste Saloom Rd.
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 989-9909
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 484-1000
Youngsville, LA 70592
(337) 856-5151
Recommendation: "We'd say Half Bavarian Cream, Half Chocolate. Unlike other places, we don't charge for additional fillings so you can get as many as you'd like."
Rouses Market
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 889-0045
Youngsville, LA 70592
(337) 362-2814
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 889-0040
Recommendation: "The top-selling flavors include a list of 10 all-time customer favorites like strawberry cream cheese, Bavarian cream, praline and apple as well as flavors including caramel, chocolate, cherry, blueberry, cookies and cream, and coconut, among others. "
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 268-9488
Recommendation: "Well, of course, we'd say you HAVE to try a Boudin King Cake from here at least once. Our Pecan Praline and Cream Cheese flavor are the most popular of our more "traditional" flavors."
Zuhause
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 706-8033
Recommendation: "We've got Mardi Gras pies, cakes, and donuts. They're all delicious"
