Alexei Volkov
King cakes are colourful, sugared cakes that are traditionally served during Mardi Gras celebrations in the Southern United States, particularly in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. They are typically made with sweet yeasted or brioche dough and filled with cinnamon, sugar, and pecans. The cakes are usually decorated with icing and coloured sugar in Easter colours. The tradition of serving king cakes dates back to the origins of Mardi Gras itself, which was first celebrated in America in 1699. Today, king cakes often contain a small plastic baby figurine, which is believed to bring luck and prosperity to the person who finds it in their slice of cake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The tradition dates back to the origins of Mardi Gras, first celebrated in America in 1699. |
| In the 1870s, the tradition was brought to America from France, where it had originated in the 12th century. | |
| In the 1940s, a baker named Donald Entringer began the tradition of baking porcelain dolls into king cakes. | |
| In the 1950s, Entringer switched to using plastic babies due to the scarcity of porcelain dolls. | |
| Symbolism | Some believe the baby symbolizes the Christ Child or baby Jesus. |
| Others believe it represents good luck and prosperity for the person who finds it. | |
| The baby is also said to signify that the finder will host the next King Cake party. | |
| Practical Considerations | The baby is usually hidden inside a slice of the cake, and it is recommended to place it after baking to avoid melting. |
| People are generally aware of the baby's presence and take precautions to avoid choking. | |
| Bakeries often sell the babies separately due to liability concerns. |
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What You'll Learn
King cake baby symbolises baby Jesus
The tradition of placing a baby figurine inside a king cake dates back hundreds of years. The baby figurine, known as the "king cake baby", is believed to symbolise baby Jesus or the Christ Child. This tradition is especially prevalent in Louisiana and parts of the Gulf Coast region, where king cakes are associated with Mardi Gras and Carnival celebrations.
The king cake itself is a colourful, sugared cake that is shaped like a ring or a circle with a hole in the centre. It is typically made with sweet yeast or brioche dough and filled with cinnamon, sugar, and pecans, although various fillings and toppings are used. The tradition of including a baby figurine in the cake is believed to have originated in the 1940s when a baker named Donald Entringer of McKenzie's Bakery in New Orleans began using porcelain dolls to symbolise baby Jesus. Over time, these porcelain dolls were replaced by plastic baby figurines, which are now commonly used.
The person who finds the baby figurine in their slice of king cake is considered to have luck and prosperity for the rest of the year. They are also responsible for purchasing the next king cake or hosting the next Mardi Gras party. While the baby figurine is traditionally hidden inside the cake, some bakers choose to place it outside due to choking hazards and liability concerns.
The tradition of the king cake and its association with Mardi Gras can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the celebration of Epiphany or Three Kings' Day. Originally, king cakes contained a bean, pea, or coin, which was later replaced by the baby figurine. The inclusion of the baby figurine in king cakes is believed to have evolved from the Christian tradition of commemorating the witness of the Three Kings.
While some sources claim that the baby figurine in king cakes symbolises baby Jesus, others dispute this, stating that it is simply a festive tradition. The debate surrounding the symbolism of the king cake baby reflects the evolving nature of cultural and religious traditions and their interpretation.
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King cake baby symbolises luck and prosperity
The king cake baby symbolises luck and prosperity for whoever finds it in their slice. This tradition has roots in the Middle Ages when it was said that the king who was chosen had to pay for a round of drinks for the assembly. Initially, a bean was hidden inside the cake, but to prevent cheating, it was replaced by a porcelain bean.
The tradition of the king cake baby is said to have begun in the 1940s when a travelling salesman sold McKenzie's Bakery owner Donald Entringer a box of small porcelain dolls. Entringer began baking these porcelain dolls into his king cakes to symbolise baby Jesus, and the tradition was born. When he ran out of ceramic babies, he switched to plastic ones.
Today, the king cake baby is usually made of plastic and is placed inside the cake after baking to avoid melting. It is often hidden inside one of the slices before serving, so that the person who gets that slice is blessed with luck and prosperity. This person is also responsible for buying the next king cake or hosting the next Mardi Gras party.
In Mexico, Central and South America, the king cake baby is known as the Child Jesus, and whoever finds it must take it to the nearest church on Candlemas Day or host a party. In the United Kingdom, a similar tradition was observed on Twelfth Night, where a bean and a pea were hidden in the cake, with the man who found the bean becoming King for the night and the woman who found the pea becoming Queen.
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King cake baby is a choking hazard
King cakes are colourful pastries served at parties and gatherings during Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, which falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent. The tradition of king cakes dates back to the origins of Mardi Gras in 1699, and today, they tend to contain a tiny plastic baby.
The king cake baby is a choking hazard. In fact, bakeries have lost lawsuits filed by customers who broke teeth or sustained more serious injuries from the plastic babies. Many bakeries no longer sell king cakes with the plastic baby included, and some people choose to use a pecan half or orange wedge instead. The FDA considers king cakes to be in the same category as Kinder eggs—as candy contraband that can carry a fine of a couple of thousand dollars—because they present a choking hazard.
Some people choose to insert the plastic baby into the cake after baking, by making a small hole in the bottom of the cake and placing the baby inside. However, this is not recommended, as it still poses a choking risk. A safer alternative is to hide the baby under one of the slices before serving, so that it is clear who has been served the slice with the king cake baby.
The tradition of including a figurine in king cakes began with a hardened fava bean. Over the years, the surprise inside king cakes has grown more elaborate, with porcelain dolls and plastic babies becoming popular. The plastic babies are often small enough to be choking hazards, especially if they are swallowed whole.
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King cake baby is placed inside the cake after baking
The tradition of placing a baby figurine inside a king cake is believed to have originated in France in the 12th century. Initially, these figurines were made from porcelain or ceramic, but they were eventually replaced by plastic ones. The inclusion of the baby figurine in king cakes is associated with Mardi Gras celebrations, particularly in New Orleans, where the tradition is said to have been introduced in the 1870s.
While the baby figurine is commonly believed to symbolise the Christ Child or Baby Jesus, some sources dispute this interpretation, suggesting that it is simply a cute trinket. Regardless of its religious connotations, finding the baby in a slice of king cake is considered lucky and prosperous. In some traditions, the person who discovers the baby is expected to host the next King Cake party or purchase the next cake.
To address the safety concerns regarding choking hazards, some bakers place the baby outside the cake, allowing the purchaser to hide it themselves. Others recommend making a small hole in the bottom of the cake after it has cooled and placing the baby inside, or waiting until the cake is sliced and hiding the baby in one of the pieces before serving.
The king cake itself is traditionally made with sweet yeasted or brioche dough, filled with cinnamon, sugar, and pecans, and topped with colourful icing or sugar. The colours purple, gold, and green are especially significant during Mardi Gras, symbolising justice, faith, and power, respectively.
In summary, the tradition of placing a baby figurine inside a king cake, either during or after the baking process, is a longstanding custom with roots in France and strong associations with Mardi Gras celebrations, particularly in New Orleans. While the baby figurine has been interpreted in various ways, including as a symbol of the Christ Child or Baby Jesus, its discovery in a slice of cake is considered a harbinger of luck and prosperity.
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King cake baby is placed outside the cake and the purchaser hides it
The tradition of placing a baby figurine inside a king cake is believed to have originated in France in the 12th century. Initially, these figurines were made from porcelain, but they were replaced by plastic babies in the 1940s when a baker named Donald Entringer began using them in his king cakes to symbolise baby Jesus. The baby is said to bring luck and prosperity to whoever finds it in their slice. In recent times, the baby figurine has been placed outside the cake, with the purchaser hiding it themselves. This shift is largely due to liability concerns and the potential choking hazard associated with baking the baby inside the cake.
The king cake itself is a colourful, sugared cake, often made with brioche-like dough and filled with cinnamon, sugar, and pecans. It is traditionally served during Mardi Gras celebrations, which fall on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent. The cake is associated with joy and festivity, and the baby hidden inside adds an element of surprise and excitement to the occasion.
While the baby figurine is now commonly made of plastic, it is worth noting that the tradition has evolved over time. Initially, beans, peas, coins, or even jewelled rings were hidden inside the cake. The introduction of porcelain and plastic babies was a later innovation.
When a king cake is served, the person who finds the baby hidden inside is believed to be blessed with luck and prosperity. In some traditions, they may be expected to host the next King Cake party or purchase the next week's cake. This adds a playful element to the celebration and encourages community building through shared meals and festivities.
The king cake baby has become such a beloved symbol of Mardi Gras that, in 2009, the New Orleans Pelicans basketball team introduced a King Cake Baby mascot for the season. This further solidified the importance of the king cake and its hidden baby in the cultural fabric of New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast region.
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Frequently asked questions
The tradition of including a baby figurine in king cakes dates back hundreds of years. Initially, king cakes contained a bean, pea, coin, or ring, but these were eventually replaced by porcelain dolls in the 1940s or 1950s. Plastic babies were introduced when porcelain dolls became scarce and have been used ever since.
If you get the slice with the plastic baby, legend has it that you will have luck and prosperity for the rest of the year. You will also be responsible for buying the next king cake.
It is recommended to place the plastic baby inside the cake after it has been baked and cooled, rather than baking it into the cake, to avoid melting the plastic. You can make a small hole in the bottom of the cake and place the baby inside, or wait until the cake is sliced and hide the baby in one of the pieces.
Plastic king cake babies can be purchased at craft stores, party supply stores, or online on sites like Amazon and Etsy. They are available in various sizes and styles.
