THE HISTORY OF KING CAKE

The Carnival season in New Orleans begins on January 6, or the "Twelfth Night" after the birth of Jesus. It was when tradition says the three wise men or kings, following a bright star, arrived at the birthplace bearing gifts. This is when king cake season begins in New Orleans, but iMissNewOrleans.com has made it possible to have a king cake overnighted to you anytime of the year.

King cakes can be traced back to the Middle Ages but are thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France about 1870. Today, inside the cake and hidden from view, is usually a tiny plastic baby. But years ago it could have been a coin, a bean or even a coveted porcelain charm, the French called a "feve". They generally portrayed nativity figures or a costumed man or woman from the different provinces of France.

After the king cake is cut into slices, about two inches wide, guests select their piece, the one who gets the charm is considered to be "king for the day". It also bestows up on the designated king the obligations to host the next king cake party.

ABOUT THE KING CAKE YOU WILL RECEIVE

It will be a oval shaped Danish dough braided coffee cake decorated with a fondant icing and cinnamon sugar tinted in the three official Mardi Gras colors, purple, green and gold. You can serve about 15 guests with each cake. Because you will want to serve the cake within a day or two from the time it comes out of the oven, pricing includes an OVERNIGHT UPS shipping charge.

This product's price includes an upgrade to overnight UPS shipping and this item will be shipped overnight to you, regardless of the shipping options chosen for the rest of your order.