If you’re hosting a Mardi Gras celebration, chances are you’re on the hunt for a king cake to serve as part of the festivities. Circular in shape (like a king’s crown), the king cake is a dessert that is part French pastry and part coffee cake, sometimes filled with cream or fruit and often topped with icing and colored sugar (like the Louisiana-style versions decorated in purple, green and gold).
King cake is typically available at bakeries until Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Here are a few spots around town to grab yours.
Alon’s Bakery & Market. Preorder 9-inch king cakes — with choice of cheese, chocolate or cinnamon walnut fillings — over the phone or online at either location.
1394 North Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-872-6000; and 3500 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, 404-978-2601. alons.com
Douceur de France. With locations in Marietta and Roswell, French bakery and café Douceur de France offers a 10-inch king cake for your Mardi Gras party. The New Orleans-style king cake is brioche mixed with cinnamon drops and cream cheese covered in glaze and colored sanding sugar.
277 South Marietta Parkway SW, Marietta, 770-425-5050; and 1173 Alpharetta St., Roswell, 770-650-1173. douceurdefrance.com
Dutch Monkey Doughnuts. Dutch Monkey Doughnuts’ 10-inch, $28 doughnut king cakes are made to serve eight people. This tasty version is twisted with nutmeg and cinnamon, then deep-fried, glazed, coated in salted butter and topped with cream cheese icing and sprinkles. And yes, there’s a baby hidden inside each one. Dutch Monkey sells them assembled by preorder at their shop, and they also ship a “kit” nationwide through goldbelly.com.
3075 Ronald Reagan Blvd. #502, Cumming, dutchmonkeydoughnuts.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Great Harvest Bread Co.
Credit: Courtesy of Great Harvest Bread Co.
Great Harvest Bread Co. Great Harvest’s king cakes are made daily and swirled with cinnamon and a brown sugar cream cheese. Decorated with royal icing and sprinkles, the cakes offer fillings including cinnamon and cinnamon pecan.
10305 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek; and 4915 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta. getfreshbread.com
Henri’s Bakery. One of the oldest bakeries in Georgia, Henri’s specializes in cakes and pastries. This year, the French-inspired spot is offering 16-inch king cakes with cream cheese or cinnamon fillings for $49.99. The bakery recommends placing orders three days in advance.
Multiple locations. henrisbakery.com.
Credit: Courtesy of Hero Doughnuts
Credit: Courtesy of Hero Doughnuts
Hero Doughnuts. Hero’s $35 king cake was developed by founder Wil Drake, who was tasked with creating his own version of the cake by a fellow baker from New Orleans. Making the brioche-style cake is a three-day process that includes proofing the homemade dough, mixing the cinnamon mixture, injecting the baked braids with sweet milk jam and topping it with a vanilla doughnut glaze, cream cheese frosting, sprinkles and, of course, a plastic baby.
33 Georgia Ave. SE, Atlanta, 470-369-6800; and 210 Trilith Parkway, Fayetteville, 678-716-7587. herodoughnutsandbuns.com.
McEntyre’s Bakery. Made from scratch and baked fresh, king cakes from McEntyre’s Bakery in Smyrna include the prize baby to hide inside. The cakes, which are $36.99 and serve 15 to 20, are available in two flavors: cherry, cream cheese and pecan-filled; and a cinnamon pecan-filled. Be sure to call at least 24 hours in advance to place your order.
1184 Concord Road SE, Smyrna. 770-434-3115, mcentyresbakery.com.
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