King Cake
Until last week, I’d never heard of King Cake. All of these years and not once had the name registered with me. Then last week, twice in the same day. It was as if the universe was trying to right a wrong.
The first was when photos of this rather garishly coloured cake screamed out in this post by Joy the Baker (who coincidentally provides a good history lesson on the cake’s origins and historic significance).
The second time was when I was reading through the selection of cakes for this month’s Cake Slice Bakers’ challenge. There is was. King Cake. Listed alongside Mini red velvet cakes, Black and white chocolate torte and Mississippi Mud Cake.
Since this cake had finally caught my attention not to mention curiosity, it was the obvious choice for this month’s Cake Slice Bakers’ challenge. The cake is traditionally eaten between 6 January and Fat Tuesday (also known as Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Tuesday), however as the Cake Slice Bakers’ monthly cake reveal isn’t until today, it’s a few days late.
The recipe is from Southern Living’s The Southern Cake Book
The final result tastes a lot better than it’s traditional decorations would have you believe. It reminds me a little of a cinnamon rolls, although the dough log is made into a ring rather than cutting it into smaller sections.
In any case, it’s the perfect cake to have for morning or afternoon tea.
This cake is best eaten on the day and unless you’re wanting to feed a football team or two, I’d suggest halving this recipe. For some reason the recipe produces two giant sized King Cakes, each of which could serve up to 18 people each!
If you have a spare moment, you can see what the other Cake Slice Bakers have made this month via the linkup below.
theninjabaker
26/02/2015 at 8:04 am (10 years ago)Beautiful colors, Rachel. Perfect indeed for a morning wake-me-up breakfast or pick-me-up afternoon tea. P.s. Joy the Baker is wonderful. And food history lessons are always welcome in my inbox =)
Sandra L. Garth
25/02/2015 at 6:49 am (10 years ago)I’ve never had King Cake but imagined from the recipe that it would taste like a cinnamon roll. Your pictures are beautiful!
Anne@FromMySweetHeart
23/02/2015 at 8:21 am (10 years ago)Oh beautiful job with the King Cake, Rachel. I was tempted to make this, but didn’t want to bake two. It looks fabulous and your photos are wonderful! : )
Elle Lachman
23/02/2015 at 6:57 am (10 years ago)Love the idea of making half the recipe. Who needs two cakes for 18 people each? That would be some party! Love the spring like colors of the sugar bands, too.
Hazel
23/02/2015 at 4:48 am (10 years ago)I toyed with doing this Rachel as I am very fond of King Cake but just couldn’t resist the chocolate!! Yours does look utterly gorgeous however and I am so glad you liked it! Hazel x
Maria @ Box of Stolen Socks
23/02/2015 at 2:05 am (10 years ago)I’ve never made a King cake before but I read the recipe and I promised myself I will bake it next year! It looks amazing!
Anabel
22/02/2015 at 2:41 am (10 years ago)It turned out beautiful! I grew up eating a different version of this cake. And I figured it was only a Mexican tradition and had no idea until a few years ago that this was a New Orleans tradition! When I saw this recipe in our book I knew it would be a selection to choose from!
So happy your cake was a success!
Laura@Baking In Pyjamas
22/02/2015 at 1:47 am (10 years ago)Rachel this looks really yummy, wish I’d made this now so I could have a slice with a nice mug of tea.
Amy @ Spin The Meal
22/02/2015 at 1:10 am (10 years ago)Beautiful photography, Rachel! I, like you, had never heard of king cake either. I’m so glad you gave it a try. Here in Minnesota, my little boys definitely want me to make it soon as they love the sprinkles on it…particularly because it reminds them of Vikings and Packers colors…lol!!! Well done, Rachel!
Rachel
08/03/2015 at 9:02 am (10 years ago)Thanks Amy. I was a little put off by the colours for the cake, but I’m glad I made it because it really was yummy. By the sounds of it though, it’s the colours that sell this cake in your household 🙂 I hope the boys enjoy it.