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Mardi Gras season is here, and if you’ve ever had a king cake, you’ve probably wondered: What’s the deal with the tiny plastic baby inside? Is it a symbol of good luck? A hidden responsibility? A choking hazard? (Spoiler: It’s a little bit of everything.)
From Ancient Beans to Plastic Babies
The king cake tradition is deeply rooted in history, dating back to ancient Rome. During Saturnalia, a midwinter festival, celebrants hid a fava bean in their cakes as a symbol of fertility and good fortune. Fast forward to medieval France, and the galette des rois (king’s cake) carried on the tradition, with the lucky bean-finder crowned “king” or “queen” for the day.
When French settlers brought the custom to Louisiana in the 1800s, New Orleans bakers swapped out the bean for a small figurine—though exactly when and why this happened is up for debate. The most popular theory? In the 1940s, local baker Donald Entringer Sr. of McKenzie’s Pastry Shoppes wanted to add a fun surprise inside his cakes and happened to come across tiny plastic babies at a nearby store. The rest is delicious history.
So, What Happens If You Get the Baby?
Finding the baby in your slice is a big deal. Traditionally, it means good luck and prosperity for the coming year. But in modern Mardi Gras culture, it also comes with a catch—you’re now responsible for providing next year’s king cake (or at least hosting the next party). So, congratulations (or condolences), you’re officially part of the tradition!
How King Cakes Are Made Today
King cakes are essentially a cinnamon roll meets brioche meets party centerpiece. They’re ring-shaped, glazed, and covered in colorful sugar—each hue carrying meaning:
🟡 Gold for power
🟢 Green for faith
🟣 Purple for justice
While traditional fillings include cinnamon and cream cheese, today’s versions go wild with flavors like praline, chocolate, and even bananas foster.
The Pro Tip You Need to Know
If you’re making your own king cake, don’t bake the baby inside! The plastic will melt. Instead, insert it after the cake has cooled, usually through the bottom. And if you’re serving guests, maybe give them a heads-up before someone accidentally bites into their surprise.
Whether you embrace the tradition for luck, fun, or the sheer excuse to eat cake, one thing’s for sure: the king cake baby may be tiny, but its legacy is anything but small.