I had heard of the wonders of King Cake, the dessert served between Epiphany (January 6th) and the end of Carnival season, but had never tried it for myself. The traditional South Louisiana Version is a cross between a coffee cake and pastry. I didn’t realize North Louisiana had their own version, a rich pastry filled with different fillings, ranging from cream cheese to Boudin sausage. After one bite, I asked, “Why has no one told me about this deliciousness before?” Visiting the cities of Shreveport and Bossier for Mardi Gras weekend, I decided to go on a culinary journey to try as many variants of this goodness as possible. I called it “The Quest for King Cake” and declared myself up for the challenge.
Our first stop was the last place I expected to find cake; Tubbs Hardware & Cajun Gifts, located in Bossier City. In business since 1922, this mom and pop store has evolved to sell so much more than hardware. Boasting they have “more Cajun gifts than Louisiana has alligators,” they stock everything from gift baskets to Mardi Gras beads and masks. Their Extreme King Cakes use a moist pastry dough and lots of filling to create a King Cake that is rich and decadent. Available in four flavors; Traditional Cinnamon, Extreme Cream Cheese, Strawberry Cream Cheese, and Blueberry Cream Cheese, the cakes can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Although all the flavors we tried were good, the Blueberry Cream Cheese was the hands-down favorite among our test group.
Blueberry Cream Cheese King Cake
Our next stop was Flying Heart Brewery, located in the old Fire Station in Bossier City. I wasn’t sure how a craft brewery, known for it’s carefully crafted small batch beers and their new Wood Fired Pizza, would serve King Cake. Chatting with co-owner Ben Patillo, he explained they now offered a specialty flavored Pizza of The Month, paired with a special Craft Beer of the Month. The February flavor was Carnivale! But does the beer really have King Cake as an ingredient? Yes! Co-owner Leah Hart prepares homemade King Cakes which are added to the hops during the fermenting process. The procedure gives the beer the warm cinnamon-y flavor of a King Cake. It’s a totally different way to experience a traditional Mardi Gras treat. If you’re looking for a year-round drink, I recommend the Strawberry Candy Shandy. This fruity ale, made with strawberries, is a light refreshing drink even for someone who does not care for beer.
Determined to sample as many specialty flavors of King Cake as possible, we made our way to Lilah’s Bakery and King Cakes. Unlike traditional bakeries, they specialize in gourmet King Cakes and are only open from January 6th (Epiphany) through Fat Tuesday. As soon as we entered, I could see why they had been voted one of the top six King Cake locations in the state by Louisiana Cookin’ magazine. Family owned and operated, this bakery is able to produce 100 King cakes an hour (all hand iced too!) With flavors ranging from the traditional cream cheese to exciting new combinations like Tiramisu and Boudin.
The Boudin version is a savory concoction featuring the traditional dough filled with boudin sausage and filled in the center with homemade Cracklins.’ The Tiramisu has a rich, creamy mocha flavored filling. Before leaving town, I stopped and purchased one of their King Cakes as a surprise for my husband. I planned to share it with family, but after one slice Bryan asked, “How long do these keep?” When I replied they should stay fresh for a week, he told me he would keep the cake just for the two of us. Tip: These can also be ordered online.
Our last stop was somewhere I think might be one of the “only in Louisiana” things; a drive-through daiquiri shop called Alky Therapy Daiquiris. These 18-ounce creations, both alcoholic and virgin, are a culinary masterpiece. Available in a regular selection of flavors ranging from Strawberry Lemonade, a combination of a boozy Strawberry Daiquiri and vodka infused lemonade, and The Papa Smurf, a mixture of blue raspberry syrup, frozen lemonade, and vodka. What sets these Daiquiris apart from other drive-through Daiquiri shops is their elaborately decorated toppings. Each Daiquiri is like a mini work of food art. Each month Alky Therapy provides a Flavor of the month, and of course, February was King Cake Daiquiris. Talk about having your cake and eating it too! This concoction was a creamy mixture of Vodka, Amaretto, and King Cake Vodka. Topped with a candy fleur-de-lis, a plastic baby, a small slice of King Cake and a mini cupcake, then rimmed with purple, green, and yellow sugar, this looks almost too pretty to drink. But don’t let that stop you from trying.
I enjoyed our King Cake excursion and hoped to find a few more places to sample King Cake, but alas, I ran out of time. If you’re in the Shreveport-Bossier area for Mardi Gras, check out one of these shopsfor a flavor sensation. Have you attended Mardi Gras?
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I’ve never had or heard of King Cake before. How neat. Looks like a lot of fun was had, and you all had a great time!
I’ve never had a King Cake. I’ve heard so much about them, but never saw them anywhere around here.
It sounds like Lilah’s is the place I need to go. I would love to get my hands on some gourmet King Cake!
I don’t think I’ve ever tried King Cake either. I’ve heard of it here and there but never thought much about it. I want to try it now!
I have never heard of king cake but honestly I never met a cake I didn’t like. I would love to try to make this cake! I bet the family will love it!
Those are very creative! A friend of mine make cupcakes with these things, it’s fun for the kids.
Oh goodness! All these cakes would make my diabetic cells go crazy! I would love to sample a slice of each, just for the experience! The cream cheese king cake is a dream!
I have never had king cake before but I think it would be so much fun to try! I would love to find some.
Any holiday which it’s own cuisine is one I should be celebrating more. Now that I know about these I need to plan how to incorporate them into a trip!
I love that king cake with the mardi gras colored sprinkles!!! I ordered one of those many years ago and it was delicious. Was in NOLA for Mardi Gras years ago and it was so much fun.
I am a huge fan of cream cheese king cake. There is nothing better. But this looks like the perfect quest and one I need to do.
I’ve never had King Cake before! Although we have attended quite a few Mardi Gras parades locally. They like to do it big here!
Yum, I do enjoy a King Cake. I’ve never attended Mardi Gras though. It sounds like a fun time!
I love this. I wish bakeries in other parts of the states made it. I think you have to make it at home if you aren’t in Louisiana. I’ve had it before and loved it….and got the baby!!
The King Cake sounds really exciting. The Blueberry Cheese cake looks so lovely and I am sure it tastes as good as it looks.
Not something I have heard about before. We haven’t been to Louisiana ever. Sounds like a fun time and a great place to visit and enjoy.
I haven’t gotten down to Louisiana yet. Really want to explore the area someday. Especially when I see pictures of food like what you are showing in this post. It looks so good! Gotta get down there and enjoy some southern hospitality. Closest I’ve come so far is eating at a local Popeyes LOL. Nice post!
Thanks for sharing all the fun with us! I think it’s so awesome to be able to try out different cakes in one day! My tummy would be extremely happy about that.
I haven’t attended Mardi Gras and I think I’m really missing out on a lot! This is so much fun and it’s awesome to get the chance to try out all these yummy King Cakes. Love it!