As the excitement of the winter holiday season winds down, facing the long winter ahead can start to feel gloomy if you don’t have something to look forward to.  That’s why Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the solution for many.  It’s celebrated with parades, parties, and indulgent sweets at the end of February before Lent and Easter.  Many associate Fat Tuesday with doughnuts and King Cakes.  However, at O&H Danish Bakery, we celebrate with Kringle — the Danish version of King Cakes!

We love to honor holidays with home-baked seasonal and celebratory creations to keep things fresh.  Beyond our classic Kringle flavors and other Danish desserts, we bake a special treat for Mardi Gras inspired by traditional King Cakes.  If you aren’t familiar with Mardi Gras and wondering, “Where did King Cakes originate?” — read on to learn some of the celebration’s history and how O&H Danish Bakery is getting in on the fun with our take on this cherished dessert.

The History of the King Cake Mardi Gras Tradition

The pre-Lenten King Cake tradition began among French and Spanish Christians during the Middle Ages to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day on the 12th day of Christmas, which is January 6th.  This day marked the adoration of the Magi when the three wise men came bearing gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

The cake originated in France with galette des rois almond puffed pastry used to celebrate during the season of Carnival, which lasts from the Feast of the Epiphany in early January to Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) the day before Ash Wednesday.  From there, history credits French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville with bringing the Mardi Gras celebration to New Orleans along with one of its most famous desserts.

The O&H Mardi Gras King Cake Kringle

King Cakes are ring-shaped pastries filled with cream and sometimes fruit.  While Fat Tuesday desserts can vary depending on country and region, a pea, coin, bean, or plastic baby figurine is typically baked into the cake.  Whoever finds it in their bite of cake is blessed and has to throw the next party!  In New Orleans, bakers create this dessert in the Mardi Gras colors:  green for faith, gold for power, and purple for justice.

At O&H Bakery, we put our unique twist on the King Cake and crafted a scrumptious King Cake Kringle.  It’s a buttery ring-shaped pastry filled with silky, smooth Wisconsin cream cheese topped with vanilla icing and garnished with sprinkles in Mardi Gras greens, golds, and purples.  It comes with three strands of Mardi Gras beads, a plastic baby, and the King Cake story, but don’t worry; we don’t bake beans or plastic figurines into our Kringle!

So suppose you’re planning to host or attend a Mardi Gras-themed party.  Why not surprise friends and family with a unique, delicious King Cake Kringle and baked goods from O&H Bakery?  No one will be able to resist.  This King Cake Kringle will impress guests and make for a fun treat that teaches people about the Mardi Gras tradition.

Enjoy a slice of this flaky, cream cheese-filled pastry with a hot cup of Danish blend Gokstad coffee.  People will be lining up for a slice and most probably second helpings.  During this time of year, it’s fine to indulge a little.

Discover Other New Orleans Mardi Gras Desserts

Beyond creating our King Cake Kringle to celebrate this day, O&H bakes other delicious treats and desserts.  Perhaps you’re looking for a Mardi Gras-themed birthday cake?  Why not try our decadent King’s Chocolate Layer Cake?  Or are you searching for a shareable platter of individual treats?  Check out our Paczki Mardi Gras Package for large gatherings.

Order Your King Cake Kringle Online for Mardi Gras

Whether planning a party or celebrating with family and friends, there’s always a great excuse to share a scratch-made Danish Kringle or layer cake.  You can buy one of our award-winning Kringle at any of our five O&H Danish Bakery locations on Racine’s west, north, and south sides.  You can also shop for our King Cake treats in Oak Creek, south of Milwaukee, or in Sturtevant, off I-94.

In addition, we have everything available online with nationwide shipping for those too far to visit our bakeries or who’ve let time get away from them.  You’ll find a variety of Kringle flavors, Kringle gift packages, layer cakes, brownies, coffee cakes, bread puddings, and more.

So it’s easy to share the sweetness of O&H Mardi Gras treats with homesick Wisconsinites or other soon-to-be converts.  Place your O&H order online today to secure your desserts.  Happy Mardi Gras!