What does the baby in the King Cake mean?

When a king cake is served at a Mardi Gras celebration, everyone wants to know who was served the slice with the baby—but what does it mean if you find one? Tradition dictates that finding the baby in your cake symbolizes luck and prosperity, and the finder becomes the 'king' or 'queen' of the evening.

What is the story behind the baby in the king cake?

Why Is There a Baby in the King Cake? A miniature plastic baby, which symbolizes baby Jesus, is placed inside of each cake to signify the Epiphany. The person who gets the slice that contains the baby is known as the king. They are charged with the responsibility of bringing a king cake to the next event.

What does it mean if you get the baby inside your slice of Kings cake?

“There is traditionally a baby hidden inside the cake,” said Swift. “When the cake is sliced and served whoever gets the baby is declared king for the day. They also are responsible for hosting next year's Fat Tuesday party and bringing the King Cake!”

Does the baby in a king cake represent baby Jesus?

Traditionally, a small porcelain baby, symbolizing Jesus, is hidden in the king cake and is a way for residents of New Orleans to celebrate their Christian faith. The baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it.

What two things happen if you find the baby in the king cake?

“There is traditionally a baby hidden inside the cake,” said Swift. “When the cake is sliced and served whoever gets the baby is declared king for the day. They also are responsible for hosting next year's Fat Tuesday party and bringing the King Cake!”

What is traditionally hidden inside a king cake?

The common denominator between all of these cakes is that they all have a small trinket or figurine — such as a bean, a coin, a nut, or a tiny baby figurine — hidden inside. Whoever finds the trinket in their slice of cake gets to be “king” for a day and is also said to have good luck.

When you find the baby in the king cake?

"If you find the baby in the King Cake that means you're the next one to pop out a baby," Hannah Pierce said. Some believe it means coming out of pocket for the party.

What does it mean when you find the baby in the bread?

The bejeweled-looking bread is meant to symbolize the gifts given to baby Jesus, and inside the bread is a little plastic baby, symbolizing the newborn messiah. If you get the baby in your slice, you have to cook tamales for everyone on Feb. 2, or Candelaria Day.

Do you bake the baby in the king cake?

Yes, you certainly can! It's a Mardi Gras tradition! Use a small plastic baby and add it into your King Cake during the braiding portion. The dough will rise around the baby and secure it into the cake.

Why do we only eat king cake between January 6th and Fat Tuesday?

(WAFB) - In France, the traditional king cake - known as the galette des rois - is only eaten around the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6. For Many, Jan. 6 is known as King's Day (hence, king cake), Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, because it falls 12 days after Christmas.

How do you hide the baby in a king cake?

If you want to hide a toy baby—or another object, like a trinket, coin or dried bean—wait until after the cake is baked and cooled. Otherwise, the object could melt and ooze into your cake. Insert the baby from the bottom of the cake so that people won't be able to see where it is.

What does it mean when you get baby Jesus in the Rosca?

Tradition calls for a small plastic infant figure to be placed inside the rosca de reyes to represent baby Jesus, hidden from King Herod's troops. Whoever ends up with the baby Jesus figurine in their slice of cake, in many cases, is obligated to make food for the others. Usually, tamales.

What does the baby Jesus in the Rosca mean?

The Rosca itself symbolizes the King's crown, the dried fruit symbolizes jewels, while the plastic baby symbolizes Jesus in hiding. If you find the plastic figure, you're a symbolic godparent and must sponsor a tamalada celebration on February 2^nd, or Día de la Candelaria.

What does La Rosca de Reyes mean?

During Día de Los Reyes, Mexicans serve Rosca de Reyes, or King's Cake. “Rosca” means wreath and “reyes” means kings. The Rosca de Reyes has an oval shape to symbolize a crown and has a small doll inside, which represents baby Jesus. The doll figure symbolizes the hiding of the infant Jesus from King Herod's troops.

When should you eat king cake?

When do you eat king cake? King cake is indeed a heavenly treat for New Orleanians when it appears in supermarkets and bakeries between early January and Ash Wednesday. Some bakeries across the city begin selling as early as December, but always at the start of Carnival - January 6.

What is February 2nd in Mexico?

Día de la Candelaria happens on February 2 and is also known as “Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin” or as the “Presentation of the Lord.” This holiday is known as Candlemas in English, because candles are brought to the church to be blessed.

How many baby Jesus are in a Rosca?

Along with enjoying a delicious sweet bread, we always anticipated who would be the “lucky” ones to get baby Jesus in their rosca as Mexican bakeries usually add at least three plastic baby Jesus figurines baked into the bread.

Is it good luck to get the baby in the Rosca de Reyes?

A small plastic figurine is placed inside the Rosca bread prior to cutting, this figurine represents baby Jesus. It is considered to be good luck if the figurine is in the slice you receive.

What is celebrated January 6th?

Epiphany is observed on January 6 by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Christians of other Western traditions. Eastern traditions that follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar celebrate Epiphany on January 19, since their Christmas Eve falls on January 6.

Is king cake a Catholic tradition?

Since being incorporated into Catholic tradition, King Cake takes its name from the three kings who arrived bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. Their journey is said to have taken 12 days and their arrival marks the 12th day of Christmas, which is also known as Epiphany, King's Day or Three King's Day.

What flavor is king cake?

King cakes come in various flavors, but traditionally, the king cake is a cinnamon-flavored dough covered in sweet green, gold, and purple sugar or icing. Over time, other flavors became just as popular. Two of the most popular flavors are the cream-cheese and our Praline king cake.

What is in the Rosca de Reyes?

In Mexico, the Rosca de Reyes is a ring-shaped, colorful, sweet cake which is decorated with caramelized or candied fruits. The dough is made from yeast and other traditional ingredients of flour, sugar, eggs and flavored with orange zest.

What is the purpose of the Rosca?

The circular form of the rosca represents God's eternal love which has no beginning or end. The sugar and fruit on top represent worldly distractions that keep us from finding Jesus. The small doll inside the rosca represents the Baby Jesus who was visited by the Three Kings and hidden away from King Herod.

How much does a Rosca de Reyes cost?

You can find Roscas de Reyes in any of the seven stores. There are two sizes available, large $6.99, and small $4.99.

What is Rosca in Mexico?

Rosca (ring or bagel) is a Spanish and Portuguese bread dish eaten in Mexico, South America, and other areas. It is made with flour, salt, sugar, butter, yeast, water, and seasonings. It is also called ka'ake and referred to as a "Syrian-style cracker ring".