king cake

noun

plural king cakes

: a sweet ring-shaped cake traditionally with a symbolic bean or figurine of the infant Jesus inside that is served from the Epiphany to Shrove Tuesday

Of course, no one does king cake quite like New Orleans. It's decorated in the colors of Mardi Gras—purple (to represent justice), green (faith) and gold (power)—as chosen by one of the city's first Mardi Gras organizations, or krewes. A token or trinket—usually a plastic baby symbolizing the infant Jesus—is hidden inside. Whoever finds the baby may be crowned king or queen of the party; more important, that person is responsible for bringing the cake to the next gathering.

—Noelle Carter

Examples of king cake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During this time of year, the area overflows with purples, golds, and greens, and there are always plenty of family-friendly parades on the schedule and lots of king cake to go around. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2025

For those who don't know, king cakes are a Mardi Gras tradition and finding a mini plastic baby in your slice is considered good luck. —Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025

Originally part of a Christian tradition, king cakes celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem, also known as Epiphany. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

In both versions, small charms, usually plastic baby figurines that represent Jesus, are hidden somewhere in the cake, and the person who finds the charm will have good luck and the task of bringing a king cake to the next party. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for king cake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache