The season is short for king cake, the sweet, round treat decorated with purple, green and yellow icing or sugars. In Louisiana, they celebrate the time between Epiphany (January 6) and Mardi Gras with king cake, and whoever gets the slice with the plastic baby hidden inside is said to have good luck for the day.
So, as the countdown to Mardi Gras (February 12) continues, we are savoring every last bite. These Dallas-Fort Worth sweet spots are baking king cakes in all different flavors, shapes and sizes. Just remember it is wise to call ahead to confirm availability.
Blue Bonnet Bakery
At this Fort Worth bakery, the king cake comes in four different sizes: 8- or 10-inch rounds and 12-by-16 or 24-by-16 rectangles. Every cake has a little plastic baby in the middle; icing on top; and purple, yellow and green sugar crystals. Fillings options include cream cheese or cinnamon-apple-raisin. Prices range from $10.99 to $49.99.
Casa Linda Bakery
If you like the coffee cake at this East Dallas bakery, then you'll love the king cake. It's made with almost all of the same ingredients, but it comes in either cinnamon or cream cheese. The round cake is covered in icing and sprinkled with green, yellow and purple sugar crystals. The decorations, including a baby figurine, come in a little bag for you to decorate the cake yourself. It costs $14 and feeds about 15 people.
Central Market
The traditional king cake at Central Market is a cinnamon-filled sweet bread with Mardi Gras-colored sugar on top. The 10-inch round cake sells for $9.99 at the Lovers Lane location. The Preston Royal store has cinnamon, strawberry-cream cheese, cream cheese, almond and raspberry flavors for $10.99. The baby figurine is half in and half out of the cake.
Copeland's of New Orleans
Copeland's in Southlake Town Square does a king cake for $59, with 16 slices of white cake and a New York cheesecake filling. A baby figurine comes on top. We were told the cakes might sell out by the weekend, so act fast.
Rush Patisserie
Rush Patisserie in Oak Cliff makes the Louisiana-style king cake in two sizes: a small (individual size) for $5 and a 10-inch round for $22. The cakes come in classic cinnamon or praline, and they are decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors. Because the cakes are baked fresh, you need to call 214-749-4040 to place an order.
Society Bakery
By special order only, Society Bakery on Greenville Avenue makes nontraditional king cakes with cinnamon rolls. They are baked together; topped with icing; and covered in green, yellow and purple sugar. The "cake" is priced per cinnamon roll ($2.95 each), plus an additional $15, and comes sans baby. To place your order, call 214-827-1411 one to two weeks in advance.
Stein's Bakery
North Dallas favorite Stein's is baking cinnamon and cream cheese king cakes decorated with Mardi Gras colors — and the standard baby figurine. Each cake sells for $15 and serves between 12 and 18 people.
Tart Bakery
Tart Bakery on Lovers Lane makes 10-inch king cakes for $18, without the baby figurine. The traditional sweet-bread cake is decorated with Mardi Gras colors and serves 15 to 20 people. Tart requires a 48-hour notice for all king cake orders.
Village Baking Co.
Village Baking Co. on University Boulevard makes the French-style king cake (galette de rois) from flaky puff pastry filled with buttery almond cream. Each cake has a tiny figurine hidden inside — a mini king, baby Jesus, sheep, cow and more —and comes with a crown, for whomever gets the slice with a charm. The cakes are available during the whole month of January.
Whole Foods
The oval-shaped king cake at all Whole Foods stores come in four flavors — chocolate, cream cheese, cinnamon and Chantilly — with a baby figurine. The cake serves about 15 people and costs $12.99. Ordering in advance is encouraged.
Copeland's of New Orleans in Southlake Town Square does king cake with a cheesecake filling.
