Easy King Cakes for Kids

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . a King Cake on January 6th.

You may know the Christian celebration on January 6 as Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King’s Day. It is a time to honor the Three Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Baby Jesus. Why not celebrate this holiday with your kids by adopting the fun and international custom of a King Cake?

King Cakes are round or oval cakes with a surprise trinket baked inside. Whoever gets the special piece of cake wears a paper crown and is declared king or queen of the party. Doesn’t this sound like something your kids will love?

King Cakes are popular in many places in the world. Try making these easy (very easy) versions of King Cakes from Mexico, France, and New Orleans.

(One word of caution about the “surprise” baked into the cakes . . . traditionally, it is a bean, coin, or small porcelain baby. For younger kids, use a piece of dried fruit instead. This poses less of a choking hazard, cannot hurt a tooth, and is completely edible.)

Mexican King Cake

In Mexico, January 6 is called Three Kings Day. Traditionally, kids receive their gifts on this day from the Wise Men. The tradition of the King Cake, called Rosca de Reyes, dates back to the Spanish settlers in the 18th century. It is a sweet bread shaped like a crown and topped with dried fruit. A small baby representing Baby Jesus is baked inside. The person receiving the special piece of cake is to host a tamale party on February 2, Candlemas Day (the day commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the temple, and the day the nativity scene is taken down).
To make an easy Mexican Three Kings Cake, purchase frozen sweet yeast rolls. Arrange them on a cookie sheet in the shape of a wreath and top them with dried fruits. Hide a different type of dried fruit inside as the surprise, and bake according to the directions. Enjoy this Mexican treat for Día de los Reyes.

French King Cake

The French started the King Cake custom in the 12th century. The cake is called un gateau des rois or une galette des rois. Depending on the region, the cake might be a brioche or a puffed pastry filled with an almond paste. As the King Cake is being served, the youngest kid at the party sits under the table with eyes closed and says who is to receive each piece.

Here is a simple recipe for a French galette: purchase frozen puff pastry and roll it out into two large circles about the size of a cake pan. Place one circle of puff pastry on a cookie sheet, spread it with almond paste, hide the surprise, and then top it with the other circle of puff pastry. Brush the top with beaten egg yolk and bake according to the puff pastry directions. Place a paper crown on top of the cake and serve. Delicieux!

New Orleans King Cake

French settlers brought the King Cake custom to Louisiana in the 18th century. Just like Mardi Gras, it took on a life of it’s own. New Orleans King Cakes are oval, braided cakes. Although they come in many flavors, the most common is a cinnamon flavored coffee cake. It is frosted and decorated with sugar in the Mardi Gras colors: green for faith, purple for justice, and gold for power. Hidden inside is a small porcelain baby to represent Baby Jesus. January 6 kicks off the King’s Cake season. Beginning on Twelfth Night, you can host a King’s Cake party in your home. The winner of the special piece of cake then hosts the next party. The celebrations continue until Mardi Gras.

You can order a genuine King Cake online from a number of New Orleans bakeries, or you could try this super easy short-cut: purchase two cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls. Unroll them, and braid them together into an oval shape on a cookie sheet. Bake according to the cinnamon roll directions. Remember to slip a “surprise” between the cake’s braids, frost, and decorate with green, purple, and gold sugar. The cake looks special and festive, but takes only minutes to prepare.

Teach your kids about King’s Day and celebrate with a fun and delicious cake on January 6!