The King Cake has been associated with the Mardi Gras season for many years. The season begins on January sixth, known as the Epiphany, the day the three Wise Men of the East: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, found the baby Jesus. The King Cake reminds us of this day by its shape, color and decoration. Its oval shape represents unity of all Christians. The colors purple, gold and green stand for justice, power and faith. A small baby doll, bean or coin is hidden in the cake to symbolize the finding of the baby Jesus. Whoever finds this symbol in their slice of cake traditionally buys the King cake for the next celebration.  The season ends with either Fat Thursday or Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday.  This day traditionally is known as Paczki Day.   Paczki Day was the day in which to use up all of the ingredients that would spoil during the fasting associated with the Lenten season.

* Because the baby is a choking hazard, we do not insert it in the King Cake.  It is up to you to insert if desired, but remember that it carries a risk of possible choking if consumed.  We recommend removing the baby and coins before cutting and serving.

Fat Thursday
Fat Thursday is a traditional Polish feast marking the last Thursday before Lent.  It is similar to, but should not be confused with, the French festival of Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday").  Traditionally it is a day of gluttony and belly-worship, when people meet in their homes or cafes with their friends and relatives and eat large quantities of sweets, cakes and all other meals forbidden during the lent.  Among the most popular all-national dishes served on that day are paczki.

Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") is the day before Ash Wednesday, and is also called "Shrove Tuesday".  It is the final day of Carnival.  It is a celebration that is held just before the beginning of the Christian liturgical season of lent. 

Paczki
A Paczki is a deep-fried piece of dough shaped into a flattened ball filled with a variety of fillings and usually covered with powdered sugar.  Traditionally, the reason for making paczki is that all the lard, sugar and fruit in the house would need to be used up before Lent. Our Paczki are made with vegetable shortening and fried in vegetable shortening.

All sizes and weights are approximate.

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