As the LOUIS Carnival approaches, it's time to get ready for the festivities with a traditional treat - the king cake. This sweet dessert has its roots in Old World Europe, but it eventually made its way to the United States, particularly to the southern states and New Orleans. Eating a king cake is now the sweetest way to celebrate Mardi Gras. A king cake is a braided crown of brioche dough with cinnamon, decorated with sugary green, gold and purple stripes. It has a special place in the heart of pastry chef Simone Faure, who is originally from New Orleans.
He remembers having king cakes in school when he was a kid. If you're looking for a delicious king cake in St. Louis County, there are plenty of options to choose from. Nathaniel Reid Bakery, Missouri Bakery Company, Federhofer's Bakery, Pie on the Fly and Country Girl's Pie Shop are all great places to find king cakes. Pint Size Bakery offers handmade candies in small batches in its shop window on Watson Road, near the Arsenal.
The Cup is a local bakery with two locations, one in Edwardsville and the other in the Central West End. Located at 1801 S 9th Street, in the heart of Soulard, The Sweet Divine has all the candy you could want. You can place your order online in advance and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. They're getting ready for the festivities and showing off some of the Mardi Gras treats they can get their hands on starting this weekend. So if you're looking for a unique way to celebrate Mardi Gras this year, why not try a king cake? With so many bakeries offering these delicious treats throughout St. Louis County, you're sure to find one that's perfect for your celebration.
