It's almost Mardi Gras time, y'all! Don't forget to get your decadent king cake, that quintessential N'Awlins sweet treat.
The big day is on February 25 this year, so start thinking about where you'll get your celebration's dessert. A real king cake is a combination of brioche dough, a sweet filling, royal icing, and colored sugar in gold, purple, and green.
I was so worried we somehow missed Fat Tuesday, but it's not until February 25. (In case you were worried too.) #kingcake pic.twitter.com/XlvsfN04Uo
— (kristi day) (@kristikday) February 11, 2020
Luckily, you won't have to get on a plane to find a king cake around here. These are just five of many places where you'll find the traditional pastry, complete with a plastic baby.
1. Bayou Bakery
- ADDRESS: 1515 North Courthouse Road | Arlington, VA
- WEBSITE: Bayou Bakery
- PHONE: (703) 243-2410
While you're in picking up your cake, make sure you try their airy beignets, fantastic pralines, and muffalettas. People come from all over for this Arlington spot's take on bayou favorites. The street parking can be a bit tricky, but it's more than worth it.
Courtesy of Bayou Bakery
2. Okra's
- ADDRESS: 9110 Center Street | Manassas, VA
- WEBSITE: Okra's
- PHONE: (703) 330-2729
This is one of my favorite spots for Cajun cuisine. Order your king cake online and stop in for lunch to pick it up. Try their fried oysters or shrimp po'boy and have a bloody mary while you're at it.
Courtesy of Okra's
3. Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
- ADDRESS: 2150 North Culpeper Street | Arlington, VA
- WEBSITE: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
- PHONE: (703) 527-8394
Is there anything this Arlington bakery doesn't make? Their version might have a bit of European flair to it, but it's got all the right bits and pieces. Get some of their gigantic pretzels while you're there.
Courtesy of Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
4. Wegmans
- ADDRESS: Multiple locations in Northern Virginia
- WEBSITE: Wegmans
You don't have to pre-order the king cakes at Wegmans—they'll have them right in the open bakery section of the store.
5. Giant
- ADDRESS: Multiple locations in Northern Virginia
- WEBSITE: Giant
While these are the most mass-produced king cakes on the list, they're also the least expensive. They also have them in multiple flavors, not just the traditional cream cheese filling. Be the office hero and bring one in for the break room; it's practically a coffee cake!
If you want to start a fun tradition, have the children at your party sell each slice of your king cake to the guests for $1. Anyone who finds the baby gets the loot, which is then usually divided up among the kids who did the serving.
Wherever you get it, remember to keep an eye out for the baby in the cake. It's said to bring good fortune and prosperity to its finder!
RT @TerriTroncale: Face down in a pile of sugar. We’ve all been there, right? #kingcakebaby pic.twitter.com/T0SBtXD5dk
— Fleurty Girl 💚 (@FleurtyGirl) February 7, 2018
Do you have a favorite king cake source we didn't list? Tell us where in the comments!