King cakes—colorful ring-shaped cakes filled with cinnamon, pecans or cream cheese and dusted with green, yellow and purple sugar or frosting—are one of the most recognizable traditions during Mardi Gras season. The New Orleans-style cakes often contain a trinket such as a small plastic doll. Traditionally, the person who receives a piece with a trinket inside is deemed the king or queen of Mardi Gras. Many bakeries—such as Rao’s Bakery in Spring—include a small plastic doll on the side for customers to insert in the cakes themselves. Here are a few places in the Greater Houston area where you can find a king cake in the days leading up to Mardi Gras on March 5: Montgomery Bakehouse 240 Longmire Road, Conroe 936-756-1745 www.montgomerybakehouse.com Fillings: cinnamon butter, Bavarian cream, chocolate Bavarian cream, cherry cream cheese or pecan praline Cost: $15 Available through Mardi Gras; the bakery will take orders throughout Mardi Gras week
Rao’s Bakery 6915 Cypresswood Drive, Ste. F, Spring 281-251-7267 www.raosbakery.com Fillings: cinnamon, peanut butter fudge, voodoo and strawberry, blueberry or raspberry cream cheese Cost: $17.95-$21.95 Available regularly through March, or orders can be placed throughout the year
Elite Treats 2624 Chestnut Ridge, Humble 281-360-7593 www.elitetreats.net Fillings: raspberry, apple or regular cream cheese Cost: $15 Preorders are recommended
Zachary’s Cajun Cafe 716 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood 281-359-2256 www.zacharyscajuncafe.com Fillings: traditional cinnamon, cream cheese and apple Cost: $29.99-$34.99 Call in advance to ensure availability
Verna Mae's 16010 West Road, Houston 832-674-4976 www.vernamaes.com Fillings: traditional cinnamon, Bavarian cream, strawberry, apple, lemon, cream cheese and praline Cost: $39.99 Call ahead to inquire about available flavors
Moeller's Bakery 4201 Bellaire Blvd., Houston 713-667-0983 www.moellersbakery.com Fillings: cinnamon, apple, cherry, raspberry, original cream cheese, cherry cream cheese or raspberry cream cheese Cost: $24.95-$30.95 (additional $2 for fillings in large cakes) Order 24 hours in advance
Boil House 606 E. 11th St., Houston 713-904-0241 www.theboilhouse.com Fillings: traditional cinnamon or cream cheese Cost: $22-$29 Call ahead to order; other flavors offered via call ahead
French Gourmet Bakery 2250 Westheimer Road, Houston 713-524-3744 www.fgbakery.com Fillings: almond, cream cheese or cinnamon Cost: $24.99 Available through Mardi Gras by special order only; call ahead to order
Three Brothers Bakery 12393 Kingsride Lane, Houston • 713-464-2253 4036 S. Braeswood Blvd., Houston • 713-666-2253 4606 Washington Ave., Houston • 713-522-2253 www.3brothersbakery.com Fillings: traditional cinnamon; cream cheese; or cream cheese with strawberries, blueberries or raspberries Cost: $20-$35; party sizes are also available as a sheet cake to serve 18-24 ($50-$70) Order online, by phone or in store two days in advance
Old Main Street Bakery 808 Third St., Rosenberg 281-232-2253 www.oldmainstreetbakery.com Fillings: cream cheese Cost: $25-$35 Call two days in advance
The Cake Lady Bakery 1302 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood 281-482-3072 www.thecakeladybakery.com Fillings: cream cheese, strawberry or cinnamon Cost: $16.50 Customers are advised to place orders in advance
The Acadian Bakery 604 W. Alabama St., Houston 713-520-1484 www.acadianbakers.com Fillings: cinnamon pecan, cream cheese, raspberry, lemon, chocolate or blackberry cream cheese Cost: $34.95-$36.95 Call one to two days in advance to order; cakes may also be available after Mardi Gras
Craving Kernels Gourmet Popcorn & Treats 312 Market St., Tomball 281-377-3282 www.facebook.com/popcornintomball While this gourmet popcorn shop does not offer king cake, it offers king cake-flavored popcorn. The popcorn is made with flavors of cinnamon dough, chocolate and cream cheese filling, drizzled with purple and green chocolate and topped with purple and green crushed candy sprinkles. Cost: $4.95 and up This list is not comprehensive.