King Cake is Mardi Gras' Most Famous Dessert | Legendary Eats

During Mardi Gras, bakeries like Gambino's Bakery sell king cakes all across the city. Shops begin selling the pastry on January 6, or King's Day, and through the eve of Mardi Gras, which is Tuesday, February 25, 2020. The pastry is eaten in Catholic countries around the world as a way to celebrate the coming of the three kings, but in New Orleans, it marks the Carnival season and the city has become synonymous with the dessert. Each pastry is decorated with frosting and sprinkles in purple, green and gold, and a small plastic baby is baked into each cake as part of a New Orleans tradition that started many years ago. Tradition goes that whoever finds the baby has to bring the king cake for the next party.
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King Cake is Mardi Gras' Most Famous Dessert | Legendary Eats

[@planet-juicy]

These are the kind of cakes that aren’t made to look “perfect” but are GOOD!

[@512Sumerian]

I’m eating an icecream using the cake from this video it’s incredible 😂

[@lucascoval828]

I'm in! 🥰

[@antoniorios3400]

Latinos we have the same tradition we call Rosca de Reyes, if you have the lucky to find the baby. You have to make tamales on february 2, the call candelaria. This celebration its for kids on january 6 they call dia de Reyes. Love from México

[@FirstLast-ej2cy]

Exactly ❤🇲🇽

[@vero6247]

not only for kids, but on Dia de Reyes kids get presents like if it was christmas

[@trash_fire3828]

That's super cool, never heard of it!! Thank you for sharing :))

[@Akirex5000]

I’m Mexican and I remember eating rosca de reyes

[@SuperMikusama]

Was about to say 👏🏼🔥

[@spencermargolis3892]

For a project in French, we made king cakes, but our teacher didn’t want anyone to bring in a plastic baby for fear of a choking hazard. Instead, someone put a mandarin orange slice in it. Genius

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Now that could work! Still different enough to be noticed when eaten.

[@emanlainem4896]

We had to put a peppermint in ours😂

[@worldcitizeng6507]

I tried it for the first time during breakfast in Paris hostel, because I got the baby Jesus, so I learned about the story :)

[@OddOneOut665]

Y'Know, you would think after several years of tradition, they'd have developed an Edible version of that Tiny Baby by now...

[@blancaah6]

They reversed because traditionally it was supposed to be a bean...

[@Queenjazzybrown]

I recently heard from my grandma that they dont put the baby in the king cakes anymore 😩😩😱😱😣..i didnt really think it was true but it is!

[@amyamarie9615]

OddOneOut665 If it was edible you wouldn’t even know you found it tho , takes away from the whole point .

[@JustineJustified]

jasmine be blessed brown My boyfriend got my parents King Cake before we left New Orleans just last month. We’re from California and my family doesn’t know the story behind the cake. My dad found the baby in his slice and wondered what kind of message we were trying to send with that baby. We got ours from Manny Randazzo King Cakes. So bottom line is, they still put the little plastic babies in the cake! ☺️

[@tylerwilliams2303]

jasmine be blessed brown they don’t, for legal reasons they stopped it

[@theoutlaw2099]

Everybody gangsta till they chomp on a baby when eating King Cake.

[@theoutlaw2099]

@@chasryllelazaro 9

[@bintitoufeeq4603]

Me eating a King Cake without knowing what it is : “Holy shat Mom, a baby !”

[@misseclispe5766]

The USA I think king cakes have some plastic/porcelain small babies inside of them.

[@woopie7419]

The USA did u even watch the whole video?

[@sarahagunoguera6970]

Merrill George ummm excuse me but I think Americans eat worse food then us like pizza and they don’t work their buts off in a field that only pays 8 pesos an hour so stfp

[@-lill_2529]

Wow.....how did a joke turn into people somewhat insulting Americans....

[@sweetwater88]

@@-lill_2529 Inferiority complex and nationalism is strong in many countries. European and South American countries in particular love to blame internal national issues on outside forces like the US since it deflects the blame from themselves.

[@sweetlikecandy4653]

My French teacher brought this for us and it was so gooodddd! My friend got the baby Jesus inside her slice! The texture isn't like an airy cake it's more like a donut but it's soo good 😲

[@IceFish.]

orignated in portugal/spain but without all the sugar and with candied fruit peels to make up for it ,

[@blancaah6]

Correct. In Spain it is later filled with whipped cream and 'custard' cream but the top has candied fruits and peels and maybe some powdered sugar sprinkled on top in some versions. The figurine which also used to be a bean wasn't a sign of good luck, it was bad because then you had to pay for the kings cake the following year. In fact, because of that bean, an insult was created... "tontolaba" from "tonto del haba". It's also eaten on January 6 and in some areas it is eaten again later in January but basically it's just two days.

[@LaBucci]

IceFIsh and France 🇫🇷

[@fatcat1]

Yup. roscas de reyes.

[@gratitudeandlovee]

Yeah we still eat it in Christmas in Portugal. 'Bolo rei' , king cake

[@sweetwater88]

@@LaBucci Hence New Orleans...

[@layoona3096]

My stepdaughter was listening to me watch this, not actually seeing it herself. When she heard about the baby she thought it was a life-size babydoll they put in the cake 🤣😭🤣😭🤣😭 I'm dying 💀🤣🤣🤣

[@mnmb3640]

Had one of these for the first time 2 years ago- gotta day, it didn’t look good- but holy cow- it was DELICIOUS!!

[@HeyItsMeeTee]

Shipping them was probably one of the smartest moves they couldve done! I am looking into buying one from Gambino's and i live inn NY!!!!! Supporting them and their tradition is something that really hit me hard in this video!

[@territ.5357]

I make my own with canned cinnamon rolls since my Krewe (my kids) been babies. They're all grown now and still request it. ⚜👑💜

[@R4S_Store]

What if I eat the baby plastics

[@scratchitch1187]

You will "give birth" to a baby in a day or two. Just guessing.

[@bhinz6389]

You'll poop it right out but in the meantime you'll get pains in your stomach

[@reginaldcaldwell2951]

You eat good luck

[@territ.5357]

You are King or Queen for the next year and you have to provide the king cake and or have the Mardi Gras party next year at your house. ⚜👑

[@shandyykh]

*_consume the baby_*

[@deandra138]

My mom keeps all her king cake babies in one of the kitchen drawers.

[@LivMLund]

Froot Luips how sweet actually, must be the memories

[@sadCasserole]

How many does she have?

[@Abi_B.]

I used to live in Louisiana and boy do I miss King Cake.

[@Bootywatcherism]

Repping NOLa all the way from Paris, France. Can't make it to Mardi Gras this year but my family and all my friends will celebrate for me.

[@maryp94]

In Spain it is called roscon de reyes. It has candy fruit on top, and you can also get it with a filling but they put it after baking it, they cut down the middle and fill it with cream, cabello de angel or chocolate. Also we have to figurines, on is like a little toy and who ever gets it is coronated king and then we have a been which means you have to pay for the roscon.

[@worldcitizeng6507]

I can buy it here in southern California the first week of Jan at Costco, dried fruits on top

[@Trund27]

We have a French bakery near me and they use a porcelain figure! Quite collectable.

[@worldcitizeng6507]

I tried it for the first time in Paris hostel during breakfast time, I think it was a tiny porcelain baby Jesus

[@thecook8964]

Fève, a porcelain baby

[@bradleydenherder8361]

My heart broke seeing her cry. I love this!

[@JasonBrown-tx4lq]

Me too

[@ammini7182]

i remember eating this in elementary school but it just tasted like sweet bread with icing

[@yeetsko2328]

Aye who’s from New Orleans? Manny Randazzo’s and Dong Phuong slap 😩.

[@hilaryread4245]

Ya, you rite

[@foodielah535]

I love the meanings of three colours. Power. Faith. Justice. RESPECT!

[@sarephbtmistari8909]

You'd think by now I would know to have snacks on hand when watching food videos like this

[@moviequeen2229]

TBH I am French but had never Heard about it! For us in Paris, the tradition is "galette des rois", puff pastry filled with frangipane (an almond cream filling). Same thing in belgium, switzerland ans many other French speaking countries!

[@smoker_joe]

"The rest of the world" = U.S As usual.

[@Queenjazzybrown]

I MISS MY HOMETOWN🎉😪

[@megamind2875]

Growing up with a French father, we get this from our local bakery every year And I’ve won the figure twice so far lol.

[@sebastianzx6r]

For those who want one,you can order them year around and they will ship to you. Many of the bakeries and grocery stores here do it. Don't get plain king cakes,get one filled with something like cream cheese,chocolate,blueberry,pecan, or many other fillings.

[@EBThisThat]

I may not be from New Orleans but I do celebrate Mardi Gras. I've never had King Cake ! I need to rectify that. Also the lesson of living life to the fullest I take to heart ! It's excellent advice.

[@sophii7906]

Where was this in Princess and The Frog?

[@rhinohaddad4245]

Sophia Mendoza-Rodriguez IKR they made beignets sound so good, and these look even better!

[@Maya-yt]

Rhino Haddad beignets are waaay better, trust me

[@sophii7906]

@@Maya-yt beignets honestly do look better

[@suri3568]

@@rhinohaddad4245 they are so good

[@jacobfisher911]

Nobody talks about gambinos in new orleans, everyone talks about dong phuong kingcakes

[@nandimontegut723]

Derp Hole Dong Phuong is the BEST

[@kiaratat2891]

Thank you!

[@kathymurguia6881]

I have never been there what makes them good?

[@alexmoyers5049]

Dong Phuong king cakes are pretty good, but nowhere near the best in the city. I'd give that title to Bywater Bakery.

[@madssc9601]

And randazzo’s

[@jojomakes]

Everyone in that shop looks so sweet and welcoming. I’m from NYC, but I will make it my business to stop by there whenever I make my way to N.O. for vacation.

[@Jessicaisrealawesome]

Omg I spent time living in Mexico and a short while in Spain, this is New Orlean’s Roscon De Reyes!!! Delicious in México and Spain too ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@a_vertical_line]

My teacher is from New Orleans and she gave out king cake on Mardi Gras and one girl got it and she almost swallowed it and then she named it demarcus😂😂

[@a_vertical_line]

*the girl got the baby plastic thingy*

[@RockstarEater]

Faith, justice, and power. The most virtuous cake ever conceived. I turn into a better man after eating it!

[@BlackWingedSeraphX]

I have love for these people. They are working hard and making an honest living. I appreciate that.

[@pink4oe104]

Reminds me of a rosca

[@yami7062]

Trash Bin its basically rosca

[@clonetrooper28]

It looks like rosca that’s too sweet

[@Dr.Strangelewd]

Ah yes, just what I need in my dessert. A plastic toy to snap my tooth on.

[@aimanprinny1293]

Or to choke on

[@chickennugget6233]

Ah, I see you don't eat meat with bones....

[@mizmartini]

It’s literally a plastic baby...not a stone...

[@Jack-sy8jn]

Your not gonna choke on it it's hard plastic and they made them bigger this year

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Can always tell King Cake newbies from comments like these ;) So long as you're not vacuuming the food down your mouth, you'll definitely notice the baby and it's not hard enough to break a tooth on unless your teeth are very fragile. Hope you get to try the cake some day! I miss them now that I no longer live in Louisiana...

[@PeytonsProductions]

King cakes are to die for... one year me and my parents got 20+ king cakes over the season and I got the baby at least 15 times lol and there’s so many fillings

[@walkingdub6191]

Guess you could say gambino got the game locked

[@ethanaleman]

This video got me crying

[@waleedahmed8010]

fun fact im always crying

[@MickeySherbert]

waleed journal that sucks

[@cheesesteak2795]

Why?

[@rogeracosta7326]

They also have it in Mexico 🇲🇽 rosca de Reyes

[@SuperBC1975]

That is one colorful, festive looking cake. Looks delish!

[@iknowyourerightbut6246]

2:45 of course it's America and we put sugar on sugar.!

[@BrickMuffin]

litterally the second i found out Gambinos ships their King Cakes i placed a friggin order. Our beaut is gonna arrive just in time for our family's celebration. LONG LIVE NAWLINS!

[@Heydad956]

As soon as Johnny Davis started talking, I knew I could trust him.

[@ethenhilbink221]

One of my friends actually went and got a king cake for me and my family ( is was praline flavored and my mom got the little baby in the cake)

[@alexiab3880]

I love nostalgic moments

[@ham3749]

I work in a bakery and we have King cakes. They are more like a cheese Danish round though, and we give you the baby, we dont put it in so we dont get sued lol. They are tasty! I would love to try Gambinos!

[@arizexas]

it’s all fun and games until the entire cake is gone and no one found the baby

[@cindy7yvette]

Wow I didn't know New Orleans had roscas!

[@baguettes2438]

King : I fear no man but this *King Cake* it scares me

[@sashiyaki9362]

We had someone bring this into class once, since we were learning about it I guess, and the cake was indeed freakin goooood. I remember it well.

[@LaBucci]

I want to go to New Orleans now ⚜️☺️

[@ratzgalore7565]

I had this once when I was around 5 or 6 and I remember it being soo good.!

[@hodgepodgebuhgodge3739]

I will be making my first king cake 🎂this Fat Tuesday🎭. Wish me luck!🖖

[@davidkennedy6022]

I found the baby Jesus 3 years in a row !

[@UntrackedEndorphins]

I couldn't stop thinking about kink cake

[@BlastoiseVeteran]

thank you for giving new orleans some love!!

[@THEMASTER26]

Just tried for the first time today...wow! Idk what it is but I love it 😀

[@17moonlily]

Idk bout the rest of the USA but in SoCal (especially LA) these cakes are known to the Mexican community as a ROSCA, and you Can find them in the majority of food market in the hispaniccommunity around January 6 or Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos (Three King’s Day). Yes they do have small plastic babies hidden inside and the cake is delicious! But man! I hope I can try New Orleans versions one day cause it looks bomb!

[@sheenawarecki92]

I love these kind and the french galette de reyes which is like a sort of flat almond paste tart. All of them are super yummy!

[@meganbrenner4846]

Just got a box king cake from my store here and came here to see what a king cake is and take a look at the box and it's from Gambino and I live in Colorado

[@AkosuaFire]

Omg!! They bake babies in the cakes😳!!!😂😂

[@R88925]

“Let’s stretch it out and make a loop out of it”

[@jamestaylor954]

That’s why I got a king cake with a Bluetooth earpiece in it and it was good af! Haha

[@mizmartini]

I feel so appreciated 😭 finally something about nola 🥳

[@MichaelSmith-jw3ni]

I was in New Orleans in January and had King Cake for the first time. It was off the hook!!! I completely love king cake after trying it just one time. NOLA!!!

[@chloesimone8852]

So in France we have « la galette des rois » (also with a baby in it), it is very different from the shape and filling of this king cake

[@user-yf5nc6cd8b]

Ya pas que les bébés en fèves dedans

[@majesticwonder]

Yummmmmmm 😋 😋 😋

[@elzamonbebe1612]

Looks freaking delicious!!!!

[@addworks7283]

Watching this in 2024 eating part of the King cake and its like a shot of sugar.

[@jojomakes]

I’m all about handmade straight from scratch pastries!

[@preciousjahi8524]

Ima buy my king cake tomorrow but my favorite one is strawberry cheesecake 🤤❤️

[@carmelcapricorn7701]

🎂 is 👑. Enjoy. From the N.O.

[@LouisianaAstroRambler]

Love me some king cake..

[@hobisoul9108]

My family gets one every year and it’s really good

[@beangie]

That looks just like "Rosca the Reyes" Made in Mexico around January 5th for "Reyes's Day" Also it has a small baby Jesus if you get it you are the "Godfather" for Candelaria's Day on February 2nd and you are in charge of getting Tamale for everyone as tradition dictates.

[@geekfreak2000]

We sell those at the store that I work at! Cool, might try one now❤

[@arachnidangelina]

what a fun idea! and yummy 😇😻 love from washington state 💚

[@SlenderMaam]

I cry.

[@teecb9727]

I know for certain SVG doesn't have King Cake in fact this is my first time hearing about it

[@Bunni-6942]

I wanna try this so bad. Looks so good and it kinda reminds me of Monkey 🐵 Bread.

[@worldcitizeng6507]

the Three King's Cake (or bread) which allied with the traditions around the Epiphany (January 6th) in other parts of the world & in Southern California. The Rosca de Reyes show up in Costco & my local Mexican supermarket the first week of Jan promptly. It's never been sold the week of Mardi Gras, so I am surprised to see it for Fat Tuesday in New Orleans. My first taste of the 3 King's bread was in Paris, during my breakfast, I found a baby Jesus in my colorful bread, so I asked the hostel manager & other guests, they told me that the person who find the baby Jesus get to be the king for that day. I think the cake is celebrated around Catholic countries.

[@alexmojarro7960]

Some of that and some hot coffee or tea

[@misterromerosenglishclassa693]

It’s like the Mexican rosca de reyes we eat it during kids day (día de los reyes magos) January 6th

[@tvtvtfan3767]

It looks so sweet. Maybe two sweet

[@shanemorales7846]

I'm from New Orleans the 1st king cake I've ever had was a Mckenzie's kin cake that was a cream cheese and strawberry filled that was a very 1st can cake I've ever had that had a feeling now it was way long time ago

[@Jack-lg2ih]

Gambinos is the ONLY 🤴 🎂 for me when I'm lazy!

[@felisasmr3210]

In my country we have doughnut-like things with mostly strawbeeryjam inside for carnival

[@lauraortiz484]

in our town t is called '' ROSCA'' and this is basically the same but ours look more appetizing and pretty and the babies are bigger and our culture is similar and it is so good we basically celebrate it on January 6th and whoever has the baby get to cook for the family at the next gathering.

[@Witchygirl22]

Man I miss home..

[@daveotuwa5596]

The king cake has some sacred symbols.

[@jessdoritowhale]

You can really tell who the newbies are by these comments

[@merakitchen4875]

Complex but good work

[@aesthelie953]

Reminds me of La Rosca de los Reyes, even the origins and traditions are the same/similar

[@luvcherry6786]

Us Hispanics/latinos eat the rosca for three Kings day.

[@hopemacdonald4036]

Im from NOLA and no cap Rouses has tye best King cakes

[@sanjayraman8337]

Oh yum!

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

Let them eat CAKE!