Mardi Gras is just around the corner so you better pick up a King Cake soon so you can celebrate. Mardi Gras 2012 falls on Tuesday, February 21. “Fat Tuesday” is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
Most King Cakes come with the plastic baby you can hide yourself. You don't have to be from Louisiana to enjoy this fun tradition. Kick it up a notch y'all.
Warning: If you're planning to pick up a King Cake from a specialty bakery, it might be a good idea to call ahead and reserve one -- especially if you're looking for one close to Fat Tuesday. Most bakeries say they do a lot of business on these peak days so place an order so you can celebrate!
Blue Bonnet Bakery
Cakes available: Their traditional King Cake features raisins, apples and pecans.
Cost: Ranges from $10.99 for 8-inch size to $49.99 for the super, extra large cake.
Location: Blue Bonnet Bakery, 3905 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 817-731-4233.
Interesting fact: Blue Bonnet Bakery donates all of the baked goods that aren't sold to the First Street Methodist Mission.
Casa Linda Bakery
Cakes available: Cinnamon
Cost: $15
Location: 10819 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218. 214-321-0355
Be sure to call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. Casa Linda Bakery is an amazing place and their King Cakes are sure to sell out quickly. But they have plenty of delicious things to choose from -- like iced Clown Cookies, bars, cupcakes and other goodies.
Kroger
Cakes available: Available mid-January in plain or strawberry flavors.
Cost: $7.99 and $5.99
Locations throughout DFW
Central Market
Cakes available: cream cheese, almond and traditional.
Cost: Cakes are $9.99.
Locations throughout DFW
Market Street
Cakes available: Traditional cakes will be available the first Sunday in February.
Cost: $6.99
Locations throughout DFW
Tom Thumb
Angela Patterson
Cakes available: traditional, raspberry, apple and cream cheese.
Locations throughout DFW
Review: My family and I sampled Tom Thumb's traditional King Cake back in 2011. It had an almond flavoring which we all loved. It was only $3.99 when I used my Tom Thumb Rewards Card. It came with three beads and a baby. I hid the baby and no one found it until the last slice was eaten. My daughter loved the sweet treat. It's definitely a great deal and a yummy dessert. I served it with some decaf hazelnut coffee and it was a hit. You don't have to be from Louisiana to enjoy this tradition.
Whole Foods Market
Cakes available: traditional cinnamon, raspberry cream cheese, chocolate, praline, regular cream cheese and berry chantilly. I'd be interested to see how yummy the Berry Chantilly Cake is. Leave a comment if you have sampled one.
Cost: $12.99
Locations throughout DFW.
Recipe for King Cake
If you decide to be authentic and do-it-yourself, here's a recipe for a King Cake. Don't forget to share.
