For the past month and a half people around the world have been baking itty bitty baby figurines, coins and beans into all sorts of sweet cakey creations. Some on January 6th for the Epiphany, while others have been at it ever since Christmas in anticipation of Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). We Americans fall into that lot—say “king cake” and we envision a massive frosted doughnut covered in glitter-sprinkles being dished out on Bourbon Street.
But go to France or Mexico and you’ll find cakes that don’t resemble ours in the slightest—think fillings like marzipan or toppings of dried cherries and apricots. Since all manner of king cakes deserve a place in your winter celebrations, we’ve broken down the differences below and shared recipes to try at home.
Louisiana, USA
Dates Eaten: January 6th—Mardi Gras
Trinket: A plastic baby figurine representing Jesus
King Cake
The American King Cake is the sweetest of the bunch and sports purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power) sprinkles—Mardi Gras’ official colors.
France
Date Eaten: January 6th
Trinket: La fève—a porcelain figurine of baby Jesus, a French citizen or animal
Northern France: Galette des Rois
Erica Sommermann
The Galette des Rois is a pastry-like cake with a rich almond frangipane filling.
Southern France: Gateau Des Rois
David.Monniaux
In the South you’ll find a ring-shaped brioche cake crowned with candied fruits.
Mexico and Spain
Date Eaten: December 25th—January 6th
Trinket: Porcelain figure of baby Jesus or wiseman, bean or candy
Roscón de Reyes
gnom-gnom
More akin to a fruitcake or panettone and similar to Southern France’s gateau, the Roscón de Reyes is an oval-shaped or circular ring cake topped with dried and candied fruit.
Portugal
Date Eaten: December 25th—January 6th
Trinket: coin or fava bean
Bolo Rei
Maria Teresa Jorge
Similar to the Roscón de Reyes, the Bolo Rei is a sweet dessert bread starring dried and candied fruits.
Remember all of the King Cakes by pinning our handy graphic…
Katie Eberts
