Frequently Asked Questions about King Cakes

Why does a King Cake make such a great corporate gift?
Do you want to stand out when it comes to corporate gift-giving? Of course you do! That is one of the major reasons why giving a King Cake to a loyal corporate account or a hopeful prospect is the perfect idea – you are giving a tremendously unique gift during a time of year that is virtually free of corporate gifting. You will certainly catch your recipient excitedly off-guard! King Cakes are associated with Mardi Gras which is known world-wide as one of the most celebrated times of the year. So why not share the fun, strengthen a business account and stand out from the crowd? Send ‘em a King Cake this year!

When is the best time to have the King Cake shipped to a client, customer, prospect, friend or family member?
We recommend making arrangements to have King Cakes shipped during any of the three weeks prior to Mardi Gras day. Keep in mind that here in Louisiana we not only celebrate Mardi Gras day but the Mardi Gras season!

Do you make your own King Cakes?
Yes we do! We shape, proof, bake, fill and ice all of our King Cakes here in our on-site bakery in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Do you insert the “baby” in your King Cakes?
Due to a potential choking hazard we do not insert the baby in the cake. However, we do include a baby in our Mardi Gras Celebration Kit which is included free with all King Cake shipments. Once you get the cake feel free to insert the baby yourself so a lucky reveler will get the “baby” and you will be keeping the tradition alive.

Do you have any shipping restrictions?
We normally ship King Cakes Monday thru Thursday. We will only ship on a Friday if a Saturday delivery is requested. (Please note, there is an additional $25.00 charge for any Saturday delivery. Not all U.S. addresses can receive Saturday deliveries. Please call our offices toll-free at 1-888-837-2801 to verify that your address is deliverable on a Saturday.) Sorry we cannot ship king cakes to Alaska, Hawaii or any international destination. We cannot ship king cakes to P.O. boxes, AFO or APO addresses.

Do you have any shipping recommendations?
If you can, we recommend that you try and ship all king cakes to a commercial business address if possible, for a couple of reasons; your king cake will arrive sooner in the day (by 3:00 pm) and chances are the commercial business address with have a receptionist or front desk clerk to receive the cake thus avoiding any “left-at-door” home delivery issues. If a commercial business address is not an option, we will gladly ship to your home address; however, we do not require a signature and the UPS driver will simply leave the cake at your normal home drop-off location.

Do you include any Mardi Gras “throws” in your King Cake shipments?
Yes. Carnival themed trinkets like beaded necklaces and coin-like doubloons are commonly referred to as Mardi Gras “throws” because they are thrown from the thousands of floats that roll in various parades. In every King Cake package we include a free Mardi Gras Celebration Kit which includes six, 16-inch purple, gold and green beads, three doubloons, a traditional King Cake baby, the history of Mardi Gras and the story of the King Cake all tucked into our signature Louisiana Living “Geaux Cup.” For no extra charge we can also include a personalized gift card.

Do you sell King Cakes year around?
Yes. Who are we to tell you when to get your Mardi Gras on? Tap your own inner Mardi Gras spirit and don’t be afraid to celebrate any time of the year. You throw the party, we will ship the king cake!

When is the King Cake season?
Traditionally, the King Cake season runs from Kings Day (January 6th) until Mardi Gras day of that year. (Mardi Gras is a moveable celebration, dates vary mostly between February or March.) Kings Day marks the 12th night after Christmas, the day when the three wise men presented themselves to the baby Jesus.

Can I have my King Cake delivered on Mardi Gras day?
Yes, just as long as you place your order with us before 10 a.m. (Central Standard Time) on the Monday before Mardi Gras day!

Do you offer filled King Cakes?
Yes. We offer a traditional non-filled King Cake and two filled versions of our King Cake; Cream Cheese and Pecan Praline Cream Cheese. Our number one selling filled King Cake is Cream Cheese.

What size King Cake’s do you offer?
We only offer one size - large. It can feed up to 24 people, based on one, inch-and-a-half slice per person. King Cakes are generally very rich and as a result people usually enjoy smaller slices.

How many revelers can one of your King Cakes feed?
Our King Cakes can feed up to 24 people based on one, inch-and-a-half slice per person.

Is shipping and handling charges included in the prices of your King Cakes?
Yes. The price you see is the price you pay to have the cake baked, filled, iced and shipped (including a Mardi Gras Celebration Kit and a free gift card) directly to you or your chosen recipient using UPS Next Day delivery service.

Do you offer Next Day shipping?
We only ship our King Cakes using UPS Next Day delivery service. You will not receive a fresher King Cake! If you order one of our king cakes Monday thru Thursday, and the order is received before 10 a.m., the cake will ship that day to be delivered the very next day!

Do you ship King Cakes to arrive on Saturday?
Yes, you can request a Saturday delivery. However, please note there is an additional $25.00 shipping fee to have a cake delivered on a Saturday. But first, you must call our offices, toll-free, at 1-888-837-2801 to verify if we can ship to your location on a Saturday. Not all destinations can be shipped to on a Saturday.

If I order my cake before 10 a.m., Monday thru Thursday, when should I expect to receive it?
If your order is ordered before 10 a.m., Monday thru Thursday, your cake will ship that day to arrive the next business day to a commercial address by 3:00 p.m. and to a residential address by the end-of-day for UPS which really means you will get the cake about the time you normally get home delivery by your local UPS driver.

Why do you only offer over UPS Next Day delivery service and not two-day or longer shipping option?
We insist that all of our King Cakes be shipped ultra-fresh! Therefore, we will not ship our cakes by any other method. We want you or your recipient to have the freshest King Cake available. All of our cakes are baked the day they are scheduled to be shipped.

Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes. If you are interested in ordering more than 200 cakes at one time please take the time to call us toll-free at 1-888-837-2801 and we will be happy to give you a quote.

Do you offer pick-ups at your bakery location in New Iberia, Louisiana?
Yes. If you order ahead of time you can come to our New Iberia location to pick up your cake. We are located at 1415 Easy Street in New Iberia, Louisiana. We do not have a traditional walk-in bakery so we can not accommodate walk-in business, so please call ahead toll-free at 1-888-837-2801 to place your order in advance.

Can you accommodate multi-address ship-to list?
Absolutely. We specialize in large corporate gift lists! If you have a list (no matter how long) of names of people you need to send cakes to, then just contact us by calling toll-free at 1-888-837-2801 and we will be happy to assist you. For years we have handled multi-ship to’s with our parent company – Cane River Pecan Company. This is one of the main aspects of our business that truly separates us from the competition. We also offer a free gift card that includes a personalized message, so be sure to have a Mardi Gras message ready to go.

What is the story behind the King Cake?
Starting the 12th day after Christmas, and lasting until Mardi Gras day, it’s common for offices, classrooms and homes throughout New Orleans and South Louisiana to host King Cake parties. These fun social celebrations actually have roots tracing back to the late 1800s. In those days, a small coin, bean or pecan traditionally was hidden inside the oval-shaped cake. The lucky person to discover the treasure hidden inside his or her slice was declared king for a day – and traditionally was bound to host the next King Cake event. Today, Louisianans continue that tradition using a small plastic baby, which represents the Christ Child.

The King Cake, or Gateau de Roi, is appropriately ornate in every way – from its colorful icing to its optional sweet fillings. Carnival colors of purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power decorate the cake and honor the Three Wise Men’s Epiphany visitation. The King Cake allows for creativity to run rampant, as beads, doubloons and other trinkets serve as traditional accents.

What is the history of Mardi Gras?
Traditionally thought of as a New Orleans holiday, Mardi Gras (which translates to “Fat Tuesday”) actually is ubiquitous throughout South Louisiana. Since 1837, the celebration has launched each year on January 6, or the Twelfth Night after Christmas also known as the Epiphany. The season kicks off with masked balls, colorful parades, as well as rural, family-oriented celebrations.

On Mardi Gras day, it all culminates into a day-long party, featuring countless parades with dazzling floats. Beads are tossed from these floats into a swelling, cheering, costumed crowd of revelers. By midnight, the Carnival season and all the spirited fun (by law and by custom) must end, for Lent, the season of penance, will begin.

I found the “baby” in my slice of King Cake, now what do I do?
Tradition has it that you furnish the king cake at next year’s Mardi Gras celebration.

What does “Throw me something Mister!” mean?
On any Mardi Gras parade route in Louisiana you are bound to hear this expression at some point. It is basically the way we ask for beads, doubloons and other treasured throws from the riders on parade floats.

What is the deal with Mardi Gras and Louisiana people anyway?
Well, you have to understand that here in Louisiana, especially in South Louisiana, we love to pass a good time! We take any opportunity possible to party and celebrate life with family and friends. Mardi Gras has been a tradition of balls and parades since the early 1800s. In some parts of Louisiana, Mardi Gras is a formal, fancy affair with tuxedoed balls and debutants; and in other rural communities it is a simpler celebration consisting of horse back riding and crawfish boils. But no matter where or how it is celebrated you can count on one thing - a great time (and a lot of beads)! Its best not to fight Mardi Gras, just let it happen and enjoy your good fortune.

If I decide to order a king cake and throw a Mardi Gras party, should I also purchase beads, completely decorate my house, wear a costume and invite the neighbors?
Yep.

Do you recommend a king cake party in a corporate office setting?
Without a doubt.

Would you send your child to school with a king cake on Mardi Gras Day?
Only if you want he or she to be the most popular kid in school.

How about as a birthday cake, could you use a king cake for a birthday celebration?
Are you telling us that you know someone born on Mardi Gras? How stinkin’ cool is that? Hug that person and tell them how special they are.