Happy New Year! While January usually brings cold weather, gray days, and a sense of gloom after the bright holiday season, there are still plenty of celebrations to look forward to, and traditions to honor. And if those traditions involve sweet, delicious baked goods? Even better.
We are lucky in San Antonio to have a varied melting pot of cultures and celebrations. Beginning the first week of January, you’ll see King Cakes and Rosca de Reyes pop up in bakeries large and small across the city. But what is the significance of these cakes? And where can you get one? Read on for the rich history of the King Cake, or skip ahead to find out where you can find the most delicious versions on offer in the Alamo City.
King Cake History
The names “King Cake” and “Rosca de Reyes” (literally, “wreath of kings”) both come from the Biblical story of the three kings who travelled from afar to present gifts to the baby Jesus. Oval in shape, these breads each resemble a crown. While Rosca de Reyes is often decorated with candied fruits in lieu of jewels, King Cakes are iced and decorated in hues of gold, green, and purple. These are the colors of Mardi Gras, and they represent power, faith, and justice.
Rosca de Reyes is usually flavored with cinnamon and almond paste, while King Cake is kind of like a cross between a cinnamon roll and coffee cake, filled with decadent cream cheese and fruit fillings. Both cakes now contain a hidden plastic baby inside — usually placed by the host or hostess, but sometimes by the baker — which is the King Cake’s “prize.”
The history of the King Cake is actually a relatively long one: in 12th Century France it was baked to honor the three kings who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus on the 12th night after Christmas. Early variants were often called “Bean Cakes” because they contained a bean, pea, or coin inside, the finder of which became the holiday king or queen. King Cake as many of us now know it arrived in New Orleans — home of Mardi Gras — in 1870, where it was stuffed with sweet cream cheese, fruit, almond, and cinnamon.
The tradition of replacing the bean with a miniature baby, which symbolizes the baby Jesus, began in the 1940s with busy New Orleans baker Donald Entringer. The person who finds the baby in their slice is named king, but more than that, it is a sure sign of good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. With the honor also comes the responsibility of providing the King Cake for the next year’s gathering.
Whether your family enjoys the more traditional Rosca de Reyes or the brightly decorated King Cake, these festive breads are consumed on Three Kings Day (6th January), or from Epiphany to Mardi Gras — a time of excess and celebration before Lent.
King Cake in San Antonio
View this post on Instagram
You can find both Rosca de Reyes and King Cake at beloved San Antonio bakery, Nadler’s. The former is filled with cinnamon and almond paste, lightly iced, and studded with candied orange, cherries, and other bright fruits. Their King Cake comes festooned with decorations, and can be filled with your choice of almond, cheese, apple and cheese, and raspberry and cheese. They start at 6”, serving 2-4 people, and go all the way to 16”, serving 20-24. Prices for both cakes start at around $9, and they can be pre-ordered for collection on their website.
No store does more than H-E-B, and their King Cake is stuffed with a deliciously light cream cheese filling and topped with glitzy sprinkles. The plastic baby is hidden within, and there’s a beaded necklace included for the party king or queen. Available in store til Fat Tuesday, this is a solid option if you need a grab-and-go for a party or school event. This King Cake will feed a crowd for less than $10.
View this post on Instagram
Helotes microbakery Spread the Loaves is offering King Cakes every Friday until Fat Tuesday this year. This delicious, hand rolled cinnamon-filled ring of orange-zested brioche is topped off with orange-vanilla icing and gold, green, and purple sugar. Large enough for 8-10 people, the baby is included but not inserted! You can pre-order your King Cake online here for collection on Fridays, at a cost of $35. Owner and baker Sophie is the undisputed queen of King Cakes!
Known for its Pan Dulce and tortillas, Cinderella Bakery on Saltillo Street also offers delicious King Cakes. Call ahead to secure one, or swing by for this seasonal treat.
La Popular Bakery on Culebra is ready to celebrate! Their delicious wreaths of sweet bread are topped with the same white and pink crunchy sugar toppings as their conchas. Get the whole family together and enjoy with hot coffee or chocolate milk — they are open til 9pm.
View this post on Instagram
Get the best of the best at The Bread Box this year — their King Cakes require 48hrs notice, but are worth the wait! Not your average King Cake, these festive wreaths are lovingly made from scratch with butter and cinnamon sugar, then topped with signature cream cheese frosting and colorful sugar. They, too, come with a plastic baby for you to place inside before serving, and cost $30. Preorder on their website to secure yours, until March 4th.
Head to Bedoy’s Bakery for your Rosca de Reyes, fresh from the oven and beautifully decorated in red, orange, yellow, and green. With 3 sizes starting from $18, there’s the perfect crown for your family or event! Serving you from two locations: Hillcrest and Hildebrand. Whoever finds the baby in the Rosca must host a party for Día de la Candelaria (or Candlemas) on February 2nd.
View this post on Instagram
Last but by no means least, those with allergies can get in on the fun with a mini King Cake from gluten-free bakery, Sprinkles and Spoons. Filled with strawberry cream cheese filling and beautifully decorated in purple, green, and gold, they are the perfect way to celebrate Mardi Gras!
If you’ve never had King Cake, I hope you’ll try one of these delicious breads this year. Let the good times roll!
Hungry for more? Check out our posts on the best local bakeries, allergy-friendly bakeries, pies, and more!
