Looking for a taste of Mardi Gras in New Orleans without leaving Rochester? A number of local businesses are selling king cakes, which go hand in hand with the celebration.
The sweet pastries are circular to mimic a king’s crown, topped with white fondant icing and covered in sprinkles in Mardi Gras colors: purple, green and gold. Tradition calls for a tiny plastic baby to be placed somewhere in the depths of the cake, and finding it symbolizes good luck.
King Cakes: A Mardi Gras treat with lots of meaning — and a tiny baby — baked in
For liability reasons, most bakers forgo that step these days, or they put the plastic baby on top of the cake, where it’s visible.
Here are some places where you can find king cakes in the Rochester area.
Amazing Grains Bread Co.
Amazing Grains is selling king cakes for $25, but they have to be ordered and will be available for pickup on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 13. The cakes are made with a traditional sweet yeast dough filled and with sweet cream cheese and cinnamon, but they are baked in a Bundt pan. 1000 Turk Hill Road, Fairport; call (585) 880-8783.