Coastal Mississippi King Cake Creations
As I prepare myself for the upcoming season of Lent, I feel it best to confess out of the gate that I ate king cake before January 6. And not just a little. A lot of king cake. And while I added to the risk of it raining on Mardi Gras Day, I told myself it was all for the sake of research and therefore justified.
Coastal Mississippi is home to mega Mardi Gras celebrations, so it’s no surprise that Mardi Gras’ most treasured delicacy can be found up and down the coastline. And in true coastal culinary style, variation after variation exists with each chef and baker adding their own special something to their king cake’s style. To follow are a few of my favorites, and while we may not be able to agree on which one is the best, we can all definitely agree that no matter what, under pretty much any and all circumstances, the king cake knife stays in the box!
Tatonut Donut Shop
King Cake Tatonut
Tatonut has been on the forefront of unique donuts for quite some time. Owner Theresa Mohler knew she wanted to venture into the Mardi Gras market and her version of a king cake, the King Cake Donut took off! These personal “king cakes” feature the signature Tatonut dough twisted, fried, iced, and sprinkled. What I love about these king cake donuts (other than that they are a delicious Tatonut donut), are there portion and size. You get all the deliciousness with only a little bit of the guilt.
Facebook @TheTatoNutDonutShop
Founding Fathers Brunch Bakery
King Cake Adaptations
Variations of king cakes continue to grow, expand, and impress. I cannot get enough of the eclectic and inventive takes on king cake at Founding Fathers Brunch Bakery in Gautier. With flavors such as Peanut Butter Cup, Cookies n’ Cream, and Southern Pecan, Founding Fathers is pushing the envelope on the parameters of what makes a king cake a king cake and we are all better for it. The Lemon Blueberry Muffin King Cake with Cream Cheese Icing is next level amazing. It’s a king cake. It’s a blueberry muffin. It’s simply delicious.
Facebook @FoundingFathersBrunchBakery
Makin’ Groceries
Gluten-Free King Cakes
Have no fear friends with allergies or certain dietary restrictions. Lauren Turner-Christy at Makin’ Groceries in Biloxi has cornered the market on gluten-free and vegan king cakes. Makin’ Groceries caters to an audience who focuses on healthy, nutritional eating, but knows that doesn’t mean their customers can’t indulge from time to time. Turner-Christy’s king cake is her house recipe that resembles a small spiced bundt cake featuring almond flour, oats, and flax. While nuts are present in this recipe, it’s dairy and egg free. And although it’s free of lots of the ingredients we love about cake, it’s definitely not free of flavor. Makin’ Groceries’ King Cake is the best way to have your healthy cake and eat it too.
www.makingroceriesllc.com
Parrain’s Jambalaya Kitchen
King Cake Beignets
In true New Orleans style, Parrain’s Jambalaya Kitchen in Biloxi wasn’t satisfied with any simple old beignet. They wanted to kick their signature dessert up a notch and from there, the King Cake Beignet was born. Three perfectly squared beignets are lightly drizzled with Parrain’s signature king cake glaze and topped with the perfect combination of Mardi Gras sugar. While possibly blasphemous to declare that I liked these beignets better than a regular king cake, I’ll take my chances and go with it. These. Are. Incredible. Served warm with a Barq’s Root Beer, you don’t need anything else to let the good times roll.
Facebook @parrainsbiloxi
Le Bakery
Queen of King Cakes
Le Bakery has been turning out traditional king cakes in Biloxi for years, and every Coastal Mississippi resident should be thankful. Owner and bread baking queen Sue Nguyen-Torjusen has capitalized the market when it comes to fresh baked breads and desserts, and her king cakes are no different. Her traditional king cake is just that: traditional. Doughy and warm with just the perfect combination of icing and cinnamon, one bite and you’ll see why her king cakes sell out each morning. If you can get your hands on one of Le Bakery’s signature “Sue-moa” King Cakes, consider yourself lucky. Nguyen-Torjusen’s take on the classic Samoa cookie features her signature dough full of caramel filling then drizzled with caramel and chocolate and topped with toasted coconut flakes. It is the epitome of king cake mastery and a true sugary delicacy.
Facebook @LeBakeryBiloxi
