King Cake in New Orleans is a beloved and special tradition – and one you can only enjoy during the Carnival season. So it’s important to make the most of your King Cake window and try as many delicious renditions as you can!
Ask any local and they’ll tell you that King Cake in New Orleans is only eaten from Twelfth Night (January 6) through Mardi Gras Day. And there are so many bakeries, restaurants and special spots that serve up their own spin on the confection.
Need a good starting point to find the best King Cake in New Orleans? Here’s some must-try options for you to enjoy!
Almost everyone has heard of the Randazzo family and their secret family king cake recipe is the stuff of legend in New Orleans. As the most well-known keeper of the family’s sweet treat, Manny Randazzo’s King Cakes offers everything from traditional King Cakes to special flavors like apple, lemon, and strawberry.
A bite of Manny Randazzo’s king cake is an essential part of the Mardi Gras experience – if you’re lucky enough to snag one!
 |
| Photo by Caluda’s King Cake via Facebook |
Caluda’s, another classic king cake spot, is a go-to bakery offering a variety of traditional and non-traditional flavors both during the carnival season and year-round. Their 30-step baking process makes for a delicious and decadent king cake.
Either pick one up locally or order one for shipping!
 |
| Photo by @laboulangerienola via Instagram |
This French bakery on New Orleans’ charming Magazine Street is the perfect spot to pick up a delicious King Cake. Well-known and popular year-round for their croissants and pastries, they offer traditional cakes alongside cinnamon, strawberry, almond, and pretzel flavors during Carnival.
You can even grab a personal mini King Cake to enjoy on the go!
 |
| Photo by @haydelsbakery via Instagram |
Haydel’s classic king cake is famous around town. Made of Danish dough, hand braided with cinnamon and sugar, and baked to perfection, these treats are sure to be one of your top favorites with just one bite.
Plus, they have many special flavors to choose from like praline pecan, cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, German chocolate, and brownie chocolate chip!
 |
| Photo by @gambinosbakery via Instagram |
Gambino’s has been a well-known New Orleans King Cake spot for decades. Many call them the King of King Cakes and with good reason. Their classic King Cake is just that – fluffy dough, topped with icing, and drizzled with sugar, exactly how a King Cake should taste.
 |
| Photo by @graciousbakerynola via Instagram |
If you’re looking for an adventurous flavor to try for your King Cake indulge, Gracious Bakery is the perfect place to start. Their delicious confections showcase some mouthwatering flavors like chocolate, almond frangipane, and nectar cream – they even have a bananas foster-flavored King Cake that’s definitely worth a bite!
Our friends at NewOrleans.com wrote a very extensive blog on all the king cake finds this city offers. Check it out here!
Sure, you have your costume picked out, but is your home decorated for Mardi Gras? We’ll show you two different ways to jazz up your space just in time for Fat Tuesday. For both crafts, you’ll need Mardi Gras beads. Speaking of…
Whether you’re in need of beads or need to get rid of some, Beads by the Pound program – the Arc recycling center in Metairie not only saves you money but also provides green jobs and helps save the planet.
OK, do you have your beads ready? Here we go!
Materials
Method
First, measure your beads. Necklaces that are 24-inches long correspond perfectly with 4-inch felt rounds; necklaces that are 16-inches long fit with 3-inch felt circles. Find the point where the string of beads joins together (usually a deformed bead) and cut it off to make one long string rather than a necklace. Remove any medallions or pendants using pliers.
Place a dot of fabric glue in the center of the felt round. Attach one end of the bead string to the center dot, then wind around in a spiral motion, adhering with fabric glue as you go around. Continue until you run out of beads, then let dry overnight.
For a complete tutorial, visit Rust & Sunshine.
Materials
Method
Simply place the beads in the bottom of the glass vessel, and place a tea light on top. Remember to never leave a lit candle unattended!
For color ideas and a complete how-to, visit Bustle.
King cake is popular this time of year, but it’s not the only way to celebrate Mardi Gras. Check out some recipes inspired by one of our favorite parades, Zulu.
The krewe rolls on Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 17, in Uptown at 8:00 a.m. Perhaps you’ll get one of their prized coconuts, but if not, no problem! Whether you prefer savory or sweet, we’ve got your coconut fix right here with these easy coconut recipes.
The exotic flavors of coconut create an intriguing flavor combination alongside Brussels sprouts while toasted coconut flakes add a satisfying crunch. Hearty enough for a vegetarian main, this dish is also the perfect side for a steakhouse dinner at home.
With Mardi Gras falling close to Valentine’s Day, we think this recipe is a delectable way to celebrate both. Surprise your sweetie with a cranberry coconut trifle – pops of red cranberry tie in Valentine’s colors while coconut, of course, says nothing but Zulu. You can follow the instructions for the homemade sponge cake, but we won’t tell if you use store-bought ladyfingers instead.
This classic dish is healthier when baked. The dipping sauce continues the theme of exotic flavors – curry, rice vinegar, and orange zest are spicy and bright. Serve as an appetizer or pair with a simple salad for an elegant weeknight dinner.
You had us at “slow-cooker.” This one-pot meal is a wonderful and warming dish to come home to – simply put assemble all the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work while you’re at the office. Chicken breasts are a healthy choice, but you can swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more budget-conscious meal.
Five ingredients and you’re on your way to moist and chewy cookies. They’re also gluten-free! Drizzle them with chocolate for extra richness and depth of flavor.
Not long after the decadence of Christmas, Carnival season gets underway, treating us to a calorie-laden stretch of parades and celebrations (it’s not called Fat Tuesday for nothing). Although you won’t see us restricting ourselves completely, we plan to at least put in the effort of baking our own vegan king cake this year.
This version from Dairy Free Cooking relies on rich – yet vegan – ingredients like maple syrup, coconut milk, and pecans to create king cake luxuriousness without the extra fat and calories of dairy products. It yields 10-12 servings, and you can make the icing and filling in advance if you’re short on time. Check out some other healthy, vegetarian recipes here!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in New Orleans! No, we’re not talking about the holidays – it’s Carnival season! Whether you’re a resident of the 1st Lake’s metro New Orleans apartments in Metairie, Kenner or River Ridge, or a resident of the Northshore apartments in Slidell, Covington or Mandeville, there is a Mardi Gras parade coming soon near you! Mark these parades on your calendar for an experience like no other that’s fun for all ages!
Krewe of Titans – Saturday, February 3, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Bilge – Saturday, February 4, 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Poseidon – Saturday, February 4, 6:00 p.m.
Krewwe of Antheia – Sunday, February 5, 1:00 p.m.
Krewe de Paws of Olde Towne – Saturday, February 11, 10:00 a.m.
Krewe of Dionysus – Sunday, February 12, 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Selene – Friday, February 17, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Little Rascals – Sunday, February 5, 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Excalibur – Friday, February 10, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Symphony – follows Excalibur
Magical Krewe of Mad Hatters – Saturday, February 11, 5:00 p.m.
Krewe of Athena – Sunday, February 19, 5:00 p.m.
Krewe of Atlas – follows Athena
Krewe of Centurions – Monday, February 20, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Argus – Tuesday, February 21, 10:00 a.m.
Krewe of Jefferson – follows Argus
Krewe of Elks Jefferson – follows Jefferson
Krewe of Isis – 6:00p.m.
Krewe du Vieux – Saturday, February 4, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe Delusion – Sunday, February 5, 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Cork – Friday, February 10, 3:00 p.m.
Krewe of Oshun – Friday, February 10, 6:00 p.m.
Krewe of Cleopatra – follows Oshun
Krewe of Alla – follows Oshun
Legion of Mars – Saturday, February 11, 11:30 a.m.
Krewe of Pontchartrain – Saturday, February 11, 1:00 p.m.
Krewe of Choctaw – follows Pontchartrain
Krewe of Freret – follows Chocktaw
Krewe of Sparta – Saturday, February 11, 5:30 p.m.
Krewe of Pygmalion – follows Sparta
Krewe of Barkus – Sunday, February 12, 2:00 p.m.
The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale – Sunday, February 12, 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Carrollton – follows Femme Fatale
Krewe of King Arthur – follows Carrollton
Krewe of Druids – Wednesday, February 15, 6:15 p.m.
Krewe of Nyx – Wednesday, February 15, 6:45 p.m.
Knights of Babylon – Thursday, February 16, 5:30 p.m.
Krewe of Chaos – follows Babylon
Knights of Muses – follows Chaos
Krewe of Hermes – Friday, February 17, 5:30 p.m.
Krewe d’Etat – Friday, February 17, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Morpheus – Friday, February 17, 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Iris – Saturday, February 18, 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Tucks – Saturday, February 18, 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Endymion – Saturday, February 18, 4:00 p.m.
Krewe of Okeanos – Sunday, February 19, 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Mid-City – follows Okeanos
Krewe of Thoth – Sunday, February 19, 12:00 p.m.
Krewe of Bacchus – Sunday, February 19, 5:15 p.m.
Krewe of Proteus – Monday, February 20, 5;15 p.m.
Krewe of Orpheus – Monday, February 20, 6:00 p.m.
Krewe of Zulu – Tuesday, February 21, 8:00 a.m.
Krewe of Elks Orleans – follows Zulu
Krewe of Rex – Tuesday, March 4, 11:00 a.m.
Krewe of Crescent City – follows Rex
Krewe of Eve – Friday, February 10, 7:00 p.m.
Krewe of Olympia – Saturday, February 11, 6:00 p.m.
Carnival in Covington – Tuesday, February 21, 10:00 a.m.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
