king cake

{{Infobox food

| name = King cake

| image = KingCake.jpg

| caption = Two slices of a Manny Randazzo King Cake, with a plastic infant "King" on top, from Metairie, Louisiana, United States.

| alternate_name =

| country = Latin Europe

| region =France, Portugal, Spain, Latin America

| creator =

| course =

| type = Cake

| served =

| main_ingredient =

| variations =

| calories =

| other =

| similar_dish = {{hlist | Jésuite | conversation tart}}

}}

A king cake, also known as a three kings cake or a baby cake, is a cake associated in many countries with Epiphany, the celebration of the Twelfth Night after Christmas.{{cite book |last1=Okholm |first1=Trevecca |title=The Grandparenting Effect: Bridging Generations One Story at a Time |date=21 July 2020 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-7252-5484-8 |page=134 |language=en}} Its form and ingredients are variable, but in most cases a {{lang|fr|fève}} ({{literal translation|fava bean}}) such as a figurine representing the Christ Child, is hidden inside. After the cake is cut, whoever finds the fève in their slice wins a prize.{{cite web|url = http://www.neworleansshowcase.com/hisofkincak.html#.U2gQXF5bTwK|title = History of King Cakes|publisher = New Orleans Showcase}}[https://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/02/17/147039138/is-that-a-plastic-baby-jesus-in-my-cake Eliza Barclay: Is That a Plastic Baby Jesus in My Cake], National Public Radio from 2012-2-17(englisch) Modern fèves can be made of other materials, but always represent the King or Baby Jesus.{{cite web|last1=Papadopoulos|first1=Madina|title=A Short History of King Cake's Long History |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/02/a-short-history-of-king-cakes-long-history.html?p=2 |website=pastemagazine.com|date=3 February 2016|access-date=23 August 2017}}

History

File:Greuze-gâteau des rois.JPG, 1774 (Musée Fabre)|upright=1]]

The origin of the cake tradition was popularly believed to be related to the Roman Saturnalia.{{Cite web |last=@NatGeoFrance |date=2022-01-05 |title=Épiphanie : d'où vient la tradition de la galette des rois ? |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/histoire/epiphanie-dou-vient-la-tradition-de-la-galette-des-rois |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=National Geographic |language=fr}} These were festivals dedicated to the god Saturn so that the Roman people, in general could celebrate the longer days that began to come after the winter solstice.{{Cite web |title=Tout savoir sur la galette des rois - Edélices |url=https://www.edelices.com/medias/tout-savoir-galette-rois#:~:text=Les%20origines%20de%20la%20galette%20des%20rois&text=Elle%20%C3%A9tait%20partag%C3%A9e%20entre%20les,innocente%20les%20parts%20du%20g%C3%A2teau. |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=www.edelices.com}} For this reason, Margaret Hasluck disputed the Greek tradition commemorating St. Basil's feast day with vasilopita, claiming that both customs had a common origin in the Saturnalia and Kronia.Margaret Hasluck, "The Basil-Cake of the Greek New Year", Folklore 38:2:143 (June 30, 1927) {{JSTOR|1256522}}

In the Middle Ages, it was said that the king who was chosen had to pay the assembly a general round of drinks. To prevent cheating, the edible bean was replaced by a porcelain bean.{{Cite web |date=2015-01-06 |title=L'histoire de la galette des rois et de la fève |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/styles/plaisirs/saveurs/histoire-de-la-galette-des-rois-et-de-la-feve_1637819.html |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=L'Express |language=fr}} In Christian tradition the cake commemorates the witness of the "Three Kings".{{cite news |title=So Who Were the Magi—AKA the Three Kings—Who Visited Jesus? |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/so-who-were-the-magiaka-the-three-kingsthat-visited-jesus}}{{cite book |last1=Fieldhouse |first1=Paul |title=Food, Feasts and Faith: An Encyclopedia of Food Culture in World Religions |date=2017 |publisher=Bloomsbury}}

The tradition of the Mardi Gras king cake did not become established until the 20th-century, although the ubiquitous

gold, purple and green sprinkles have been standard decoration since 1872. The cake is usually purchased at a shop. Many holiday foods have rituals and customs connected to the preparation of the food, but the customs of the kings cake mainly revolve around the fève.{{Cite web| title = The King of Cakes at Mardi Gras| work = Smithsonian Magazine| access-date = 2024-09-10| url = https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-king-of-cakes-at-mardi-gras-80276085/}} Sugar was always a big industry in New Orleans where local bakeries took an active role in turning the cake into a modern cultural icon. Old-fashioned versions of the cake are basically a round braided brioche without filling but these days bakeries try to outdo one another with creative fillings.{{Cite web| title = I Bake This Delicious King Cake Every Year for Mardi Gras| work = Kitchn| access-date = 2024-09-10| url = https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-a-king-cake-for-mardi-gras-107049}}{{Cite news| last = Moskin| first = Julia| title = A City Drenched in Sugar| work = The New York Times| date = 29 January 2013| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/dining/king-cakes-abound-in-new-orleans.html}}

Regional variants

=French-speaking countries and regions=

File:Galette Frangipane 2021.jpg

File:Brioche des Rois dsc06781.jpg

There are two different versions of the French king cake: the galette and the gâteau. The {{lang|fr|galette des rois}} is a flaky puff pastry traditionally filled with frangipane. These days the filling may also be fruit, chocolate or cream-based fillings. It has become a tradition for pastry chefs to create innovative versions of the galette featuring ingredients like flavored liquors, candied fruits and ganache.{{Cite web| title = The galette des rois, a very French tradition| work = Consulat général de France à Toronto|url = https://toronto.consulfrance.org/the-galette-des-rois-a-very-french-tradition}}

The gâteau des rois associated mainly with the region of Provence in the south of France is a brioche dough decorated with candied fruit and coarse sugar.{{cite book |last1=Mould |first1=Michael |title=The Routledge Dictionary of Cultural References in Modern French |date=2011 |publisher=Routledge |page=17}}

The Guianan galette (more commonly known as the Creole galette) is a traditional pastry of French Guianan cuisine. This is a Creole variant of the galette des rois which is eaten as a dessert during Epiphany.[http://redris.pagesperso-orange.fr/HTML/Le_carnaval_en_Guyane4.htm Le carnaval des familles] It can be garnished with cream, coconut, guava, etc. It is consumed throughout the Carnival period (from the Epiphany until Lent, ending Ash Wednesday) and preferably accompanied by champagne.{{citation needed|date = November 2021}}

A paper crown is included with purchased cakes to crown the "king" or "queen" who finds the "{{lang|fr|fève}}" or bean, or coin hidden inside the cake. To ensure a random distribution of the pieces, the youngest person is to place themselves under the table and name the recipient of each piece as they are cut.{{cite book |last1=Philippe |first1=Didier |title=Petit lexique des fêtes religieuses et laïques |date=2003 |publisher=Albin Michel |location=Paris |isbn=978-2-22613-631-2 |page=42}} When store-bought, the {{lang|fr|fève}} can be a tiny porcelain figurine of a religious character or, nowadays, a figurine referencing pop-culture or popular cartoons.{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

=German-speaking countries=

The German and Swiss Dreikönigskuchen 'three kings cake' are shaped like wreathes or rounds, and uses an almond as the fève.

=Portugal=

Bolo-rei ({{literal translation|king cake}}) is a traditional Portuguese cake eaten from the beginning of December until Epiphany.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2004/12/09/portuguese_christmas_feature.shtml A Portuguese Christmas] Retrieved 12 August 2013 The recipe is derived from the Southern French {{lang|fr|gâteau des rois}} which found its way to Portugal during the 1800s when {{lang|pt|Confeitaria Nacional}}[http://www.portugaldailyview.com/whats-new/bolo-rei-the-king-of-portuguese-christmas-cakes Bolo-Rei: The King of Portuguese Christmas Cakes] Retrieved 12 August 2013 opened as the Portuguese monarchy's official bakery in 1829.[http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120110-the-battle-for-lisbons-best-pastry The Battle for Lisbon’s best pastry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114004856/http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120110-the-battle-for-lisbons-best-pastry |date=2014-11-14 }} Retrieved 12 August 2013

The cake is round with a large hole in the centre,[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/andrew-matthews/a-foodies-guide-to-christ_b_2358349.html A Foodie’s Guide to Christmas in Europe] Retrieved 12 August 2013 resembling a crown covered with crystallized and dried fruit.{{Cn|date=January 2024}} It is baked from a soft, white dough, with raisins, various nuts and crystallized fruit. Also included is the dried fava bean, and tradition dictates that whoever finds the fava has to pay for the cake next year.[http://www.portugalproperty.com/news-blog/bolo-rei-portuguese-kings-cake-a-treat-for-your-christmas-table/ Bolo Rei Portuguese Kings Cake – A treat for your Christmas table recipe ] Retrieved 12 August 2013

=Spanish-speaking countries=

File:Roscon_de_Reyes.jpg

File:Roscón.jpg" with whipped cream]]

The Roscón de Reyes is eaten in Spain, Latin America. Recipes vary from country to country and between cultures but tend to be similar. It generally has an oval shape due to the need to make cakes large enough for large groups. For decoration, figs, quinces, cherries, or dried and candied fruits are often, but not exclusively, used.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mylatinatable.com/rosca-de-reyes-recipe-kings-day-bread/|title=Rosca de Reyes Recipe (Kings Day Bread)|date=2019-01-04|website=My Latina Table|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-09}} The tradition of placing a bean, candy or figurine inside the cake that diners find in their slice is followed.{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

In Spain the cake consists of a sweet brioche dough aromatised with orange blossom water and decorated with slices of candied or crystallized fruit of various colors. It can be filled with whipped cream, cream, almond paste or others. The figurine traditionally represents one of the Three Wise Men Biblical Magi. A dry broad bean is also introduced inside the roscón. It is tradition that whoever finds the bean pays for the roscón.{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

In Mexico, Central and South America, the figurine represents the Child Jesus. The figurine of the baby Jesus hidden in the bread represents the flight of the Holy Family, fleeing from Herod the Great's Massacre of the Innocents. Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is blessed and must take the figurine to the nearest church on Candlemas Day. The name Candlemas is derived from the use of candles on liturgical observances, representing the light of Christ presented to the world ({{bibleverse||John|1:9|KJV}}). or host a party that day.{{cite web|title=Happy Candlemas! ¡Feliz Día de la Candelaria!|url=http://www.cancunissafe.com/cancun-events/candlemas-cancun-2010-dia-de-la-candelaria-cancun/|work=CancunSafe|publisher=NeuMedia|access-date=2 March 2011}}

=United Kingdom=

The Twelfth cake, Twelfth-night cake, or Twelfth-tide cakeOxford English Dictionary, 1st edition, 1916, s.v.Alan Davidson, ed., The Oxford Companion to Food, 1st ed., {{isbn|0192115790}}, s.v. 'Twelfth Night cake', p. 814 was once popular in the United Kingdom on Twelfth Night. It was frequently baked with a bean hidden in one side and a pea hidden in the other; the man/lord finding the bean became King for the night, while the woman/lady finding the pea became the Queen{{cite web|url=https://blog.library.si.edu/2013/01/twelfth-night-traditions-a-cake-a-bean-and-a-king/#.WG2ZgvkrJPY|title=Twelfth Night Traditions: A Cake, a Bean, and a King -|last=Macclain|first=Alexia|date=4 January 2013|publisher=Smithsonian Libraries|access-date=10 January 2018|quote=According to the 1923 Dennison's Christmas Book, "there should be a King and a Queen, chosen by cutting a cake…" The Twelfth Night Cake has a bean and a pea baked into it. The man who finds the bean in his slice of cake becomes King for the night while the woman who finds a pea in her slice of cake becomes Queen for the night.}} – also known as the Lord or Lady of Misrule.{{cite web|url=https://unireadinghistory.com/2016/12/09/christmas-2016-2/|title=Christmas 2016: Twelfth Cake|last=Lawrence|first=Anne|date=9 December 2016|publisher=Reading History|access-date=10 January 2018}} Earlier, in the time of Shakespeare, there was only a Lord of Misrule, chosen by the hidden bean, reflected in Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night.{{cite web|url=https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/festivity-dressing-up-and-misrule-in-twelfth-night/|title=Festivity, dressing up and misrule in Twelfth Night|last=Dobson|first=Michael|date=15 March 2016|publisher=British Library|access-date=10 January 2018}}

Samuel Pepys recorded a party in London on Epiphany night 1659/1660, and described the role the cake played in the choosing of a "King" and "Queen" for the occasion: "...to my cousin Stradwick, where, after a good supper, there being there my father, mother, brothers, and sister, my cousin Scott and his wife, Mr. Drawwater and his wife, and her brother, Mr. Stradwick, we had a brave cake brought us, and in the choosing, Pall was Queen and Mr. Stradwick was King. After that my wife and I bid adieu and came home, it being still a great frost."Diary of Samuel Pepys

Although still occasionally found in the United Kingdom, as the Industrial Revolution curtailed the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas during the Victorian era,{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/26/sea-swimming-wassailing-and-minced-lamb-11-fun-things-you-can-do-between-boxing-day-and-twelfth-night-6279152//|title=Sea swimming, wassailing and minced lamb – 11 fun things you can do between Boxing Day and Twelfth Night|last=Baldock|first=James|date=26 Dec 2016|publisher=Metro|access-date=10 January 2018}} the cake declined in popularity to be replaced by the Christmas cake. 18th century actor Robert Baddeley's will bequeathed £3 per annum to serve wine, punch and a Twelfth Night cake to the performers of the Drury Lane Theatre in the green room each Twelfth Night; the ceremony of the "Baddeley Cake" has remained a regular event, missed only 13 times in over 200 years, during wartimes or theatre closures.{{cite web |last1=Ewbank |first1=Anne |title=How £100 Bought an Obscure British Actor 224 Years of Cake and Fame |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/baddeley-cake |website=Gastro Obscura |publisher=Atlas Obscura |access-date=5 January 2019 |date=5 January 2019}}

=United States=

File:King Cake Baby.jpg

In Louisiana and parts of the Gulf Coast region historically settled by the French, king cake is associated with Mardi Gras and is traditionally served from Epiphany until Carnival{{cite web|url = http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/food-matters/2021/01/07/three-men-and-a-baby-a-brief-history-of-king-cakes/|title = Three Men and a Baby: A Brief History of King Cakes|author = Layla Eplett|work = Scientific American, Blog Network|date = 2014-03-04}} and recently year-round.{{cite web|title=How to Celebrate Twelfth Night in New Orleans|date=2 January 2017|url=http://gonola.com/2014/12/26/how-to-celebrate-twelfth-night-in-new-orleans.html|access-date=2017-01-07|language=en-us}} It may have been introduced by Basque settlers in 1718,{{Cite book|last=Byrn, Anne|title=American Cake: From colonial gingerbread to classic layer, the stories and recipes behind more than 125 of our best-loved cakes|year=2016|isbn=9781623365431|pages=18|oclc=934884678|author-link=Anne Byrn}} or by the French in 1870.{{cite web|url=https://www.kingcakes.com/lagniappe.php|title=Randazzo's Camellia City Bakery|access-date=27 February 2017|archive-date=7 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507002531/https://www.kingcakes.com/lagniappe.php|url-status=dead}}

It comes in a number of styles. The most simple, said to be the most traditional, is a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style dough. It may be topped with icing or sugar, which may be colored to show the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. Cakes may also be filled with cream cheese, praline, cinnamon, or an assortment of fruit fillings.{{cite journal |last1=Stanonis |first1=Anthony J. |last2=Wallace |first2=Rachel |title=Tasting New Orleans: How the Mardi Gras King Cake Came to Represent the Crescent City |journal=Southern Cultures |date=2018 |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=6–23 |doi=10.1353/scu.2018.0043|s2cid=150226732 }}

Traditionally, a small plastic baby,{{cite book|title=Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture|page=568|author=Gladys L. Knight|isbn=978-0313398827|year=2014|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic }} symbolizing Jesus, is hidden in the king cake and is a way for residents of Louisiana to celebrate their Christian faith.{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.kingcake.com/t-history.aspx|website=King Cake}} The baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it. That person is also responsible for purchasing next week's cake{{cite web|url = http://www.neworleansshowcase.com/hisofkincak.html#.U2gO915bTwJ|title = History of King Cakes|publisher = New Orleans Showcase}} or hosting the next Mardi Gras party.{{cite book|last1=Gaudet|first1=Marcia|title=Mardi Gras, Gumbo, and Zydeco: Readings in Louisiana Culture|date=2003|publisher=University Press of Mississippi|isbn=1-57806-529-1|editor1-last=Gaudet|editor1-first=Marcia|location=Jackson, MS|pages=48–57|chapter=The New Orleans King Cake in Southwest Louisiana|editor2-last=McDonald|editor2-first=James C.}} Often, bakers place the baby outside of the cake, leaving the purchaser to hide it themselves. This is usually to avoid liability for any choking hazard.{{cite web|url=https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/king-cake-history|title=How King Cake Became Carnival Royalty in New Orleans|work=Epicurious}}

In 2009, the New Orleans Pelicans basketball team introduced the King Cake Baby as a seasonal mascot.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Richard |title=What is that terrifying NBA All-Star mascot in New Orleans this weekend? |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/2/18/14655070/king-cake-baby-new-orleans-pelicans-all-star-game-2017 |website=SBNation.com |access-date=11 January 2021 |language=en |date=18 February 2017}} The New Orleans Baby Cakes (formerly the Zephyrs) were a AAA baseball team that played their final three seasons (2017–2019) with that name before relocating and becoming the Wichita Wind Surge.{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

Gallery

File:Bolo Rei.jpg|Portuguese Bolo Rei

File:Roscón de Reyes - Mallorquina.jpg|{{lang|es|Roscón}}

File:Rosca de reyes.jpg|Mexican Rosca de reyes

File:Grosser Dreikönigskuchen.JPG|Dreikönigskuchen in Switzerland

References

Bibliography

1991. Tradiciones Mexicanas. Pg 22, 31. Mexico, D.F., Ed. Diana S.A. de C.V., {{ISBN|968-13-2203-7}}
1998. Fiestas de México. Pg. 76, Mexico, D.F., Panorama Editorial S.A. de C.V, {{ISBN|968-38-0048-3}}
Christmas Trivia edited by Jennie Miller Helderman, Mary Caulkins. Gramercy, 2002
Marix-Evans, Martin. The Twelve Days of Christmas. Peter Pauper Press, 2002
Bowler, Gerry. The World Encyclopedia of Christmas. McClelland & Stewart, 2004
Collins, Ace. Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas. Zondervan, 2003

External links

{{Cite NIE|wstitle=Bean-King's Festival|short=x}}
{{CathEncy|wstitle= Christmas |volume= 3 |last= Martindale |first= Cyril |author-link= C. C. Martindale |quote= see LITURGY AND CUSTOM & Popular merry-making.|short=1}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140413012411/http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/11445691.html Recipes: Portugal’s Bolo Rei]
[http://www.dw.de/bolo-rei-from-portugal/a-16478915 EuroMaxx A La Carte Bolo Rei from Portugal recipe]
[http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2011/12/a-state-mandated-christmas-bonus/ A State Mandated Christmas Bonus], a blog post by the Law Library of Congress, makes reference to the {{lang|es|Rosca de reyes}}.