Louisiana’s Most Unique King Cake – You Have to Make it Yourself

Mardi Gras in Louisiana is a time-honored tradition. And it doesn't matter whether you Mardi Gras in Shreveport or Mardi Gras in Mamou there is one thing we know about tradition. It's peer pressure from dead people. Failure to honor the traditions will get you some sideways looks in Lafayette, Church Point, Eunice, and other towns too.

If you want to have a lively and spirited discussion, aka argument, about a particular Mardi Gras tradition nothing gets people's dander up quite like a discussion about King Cake. I guess if you yelled Roll Tide in Baton Rouge in November you'd get a similar response too. I say that to illustrate the point that Louisiana people have their idea of what King Cake should be and if your idea doesn't mesh with theirs then glances will be exchanged while we fume with our mouths full.

When it comes to King Cake snobbery you can't beat the blowhards of New Orleans. They are the first to scream "THAT'S NOT A KING CAKE" when you offer them something that has not been dragged through the gravy of Bourbon Street after a February rainstorm.  I get it, New Orleanians are proud of what King Cake means to the city.

On the other hand, we are just tired of them proclaiming to be the anointed ones when it comes to a sugary cake covered with colored icing that goes well with Community Coffee. There is room for a lot of bakers at the King Cake table and quite frankly some of the most original creations are the best creations, at least to me.

There is one such King Cake that comes from St. Martin Parish. I don't know if this was a brainstorm or a fever dream but the idea was floated for a unique savory recipe made in the spirit of the Mardi Gras tradition.

The only problem with this cake is nobody makes it commercially, you have to make it home. Fortunately, it's surprisingly simple to do. Okay, if someone shows you what to do first. That's why we are here. Are you ready to learn?