Highlights
- Traditional Louisiana king cakes use Danish or brioche dough with cinnamon swirls, while French galette des rois features puff pastry with almond filling
- Doughnut shop king cakes merge fluffy fried dough with traditional king cake flavors, creating an airy texture unique to the category
- Savory boudin king cakes started in Lafayette around 2014 and combine spicy pork boudin with slightly sweet dough
- Filling options range from classic cream cheese and pecan praline to modern innovations like Bananas Foster and red velvet
- Lafayette bakeries like Poupart’s and Keller’s offer 12-16 different flavors, with new variations introduced each Carnival season
King Cake Types in South Louisiana: From Classic Cinnamon Rolls to Savory Boudin Creations
There are many different styles of King Cakes in South Louisiana during Mardi Gras season.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) — From the moment Twelfth Night hits on January 6, South Louisiana transforms into king cake country. Every bakery, grocery store, and doughnut shop across Acadiana starts churning out these colorful, sugar-topped treats that define Carnival season. But this isn’t a one-size-fits-all tradition.
South Louisiana produces an incredible variety of king cakes, each with its own loyal following. Some people swear by the cinnamon-heavy classics from longtime Lafayette bakeries. Others line up for fried doughnut versions that taste nothing like traditional king cakes. Then there’s the crowd that wants boudin stuffed inside their king cake, because why not combine two Louisiana obsessions into one?
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Understanding these different styles helps you navigate the overwhelming number of options that flood the market between Epiphany and Mardi Gras Day.
The Traditional Louisiana King Cake: Classic Cinnamon and Danish Dough
According to Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine, the traditional Louisiana king cake that most people recognize differs from its European ancestor. The Louisiana version uses sweet brioche or Danish dough, braided into an oval or circular shape, with cinnamon swirled throughout. After baking, bakers ice the cake and top it with purple, green, and gold colored sugar representing justice, faith, and power…