Authentic Louisiana King Cakes in Houston

A king cake is a traditional Louisiana dessert enjoyed during Carnival season, which begins on Epiphany (January 6) and runs through Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). Typically shaped like in a ring to symbolize a crown, king cakes are decorated in purple, green, and gold—the official colors of Mardi Gras, representing justice, faith, and power.

Each king cake contains a small baby figurine, a time-honored tradition. The person who finds the baby is crowned king or queen for the day and is responsible for bringing the next king cake—keeping the Mardi Gras celebration alive all season long.

The origins of king cake date back to France and Spain, where cakes were baked to celebrate Epiphany and honor the Three Kings. Early versions included a bean or coin to represent good fortune.

French and Spanish settlers brought the king cake tradition to Louisiana, where it became deeply rooted in the culture. Over generations, Louisiana bakeries transformed king cake into the iconic Mardi Gras dessert known today.

In Louisiana, Mardi Gras is more than a holiday—it’s a season. King cakes became a staple of Carnival celebrations, shared at family gatherings, offices, schools, parades, and parties.

Modern Louisiana king cakes are richer and more indulgent, often filled with flavors like cinnamon, cream cheese, fruit, and praline, and topped with icing and colored sugars. Today, king cake is a symbol of community, celebration, and Louisiana heritage.

At Lagniappe Sweets, we’re proud to bring the authentic Louisiana king cake tradition to Houston. Our king cakes are inspired by classic New Orleans recipes and baked with care to honor the flavors and customs that make Mardi Gras special.

Whether you grew up enjoying king cake in Louisiana or are discovering it for the first time in Houston, Lagniappe Sweets king cakes let you celebrate Mardi Gras the way it was meant to be—shared with family, friends, and coworkers.

From traditional king cakes to modern flavor variations, Lagniappe Sweets is dedicated to sharing the joy of Mardi Gras one cake at a time. Every king cake reflects our belief in offering “a little something extra”—because no Mardi Gras celebration is complete without it.