Being from Mississippi, I have experienced Mardi Gras in various forms. The one I knew about but had not experienced was King Cake. A King Cake in simple terms is a constructed cinnamon roll with colorful icing and a baby inside.
In complex terms, the Three Kings Cake is described as:
In Western Christian tradition, Epiphany (also known as “Three Kings Day”) celebrates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. From the 19th century onwards, the tradition of the King cake has been associated with the Epiphany (“appearance” in Greek). The three kings cake takes its name from the Biblical Magi, also referred to as the three kings: Melchior, Balthazar and Gaspard, who came to Jesus to offer him gifts, twelve days after his birth. The Eve of Epiphany is known as Twelfth Night, which is the last day of the Christmas season, and Epiphany Day itself commences the Epiphany season.
Spanish and French settlers brought it to America. It often includes a figurine, and it is believed that the individual who discovers it will have good fortune. In some regions, the three kings cake is consumed throughout Epiphanytide until the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday.
I have given y’all a little history of the King Cake so I will tell you about my experience ordering a King Cake from Joe Gambino’s Bakery.
As a child of the United States Air Force, I have friends from all over the world. They hail from the United Kingdom to Malaysia to Japan and all parts in between. One particular friend, from Louisiana, posted a King Cake filled with pralines from Joe Gambino’s on Instagram.
Being a “connoisseur de desserts” (is that a thing?), I did about five seconds of research and ordered a King Cake from the bakery. Gambino’s Bakery has a user friendly website. I was not overwhelmed when I perused the selection of King Cakes. I would be doing you a disservice if I did not tell you the website offers a variety of other desserts, not only King Cakes.
I ordered a traditional King Cake without hesitation. The total price (king cake + shipping) was ~$50. Do they still say “shipping and handling”??? Anyway, Gambino’s gives you the option of receiving the dessert on a specific day or it will be shipped by two day ground…the next business day.
@phillipsloop Overnighted a traditional king cake from Joe Gambino’s Bakery! #kingcake #phillipsloop #joegambinos #joegambinosbakery #gambinosbakery #mardigras #sweettooth #outtheboot
♬ original sound – Rob Short
The King Cake was delivered prior to 2pm on the second day. It arrived in an air sealed package. The package included King Cake, icing, three colors of sprinkles and a pamphlet which included decorating instructions. Full disclosure, I went straight to YouTube University for decorating instructions and I came out with the following.
I did not decorate the entire King Cake, initially, because I wanted to try it both ways: with the icing/sprinkles and just the pastry. Let me tell you, it was delicious both ways! The level of sweetness is dependent on you and you only. My son was enamored with the sprinkles and the search with finding the baby hidden within the cake.
Final Word
My first King Cake did not disappoint. Joe Gambino’s Bakery ordering process was seamless, the cake arrived on time and it was fresh. The greatest compliment I could give to the bakery is being a repeat customer. I ordered a second King Cake last week so my coworkers could experience a King Cake from Joe Gambino’s Bakery. It was such a treat.
