Carnival Season Is Upon Us!

Today is King’s Day, also known as Eve of the Epiphany or Twelfth Night. It is the official end of Christmas Season. For those of us in Louisiana, it also means it is now totally “legal” to buy a King Cake and it is time to kick off CARNIVAL SEASON! New Year food resolutions don’t really start until Ash Wednesday, right?!

I know everyone has their “go-to” places to purchase King Cakes, but have you ever made one yourself? If you have, major props to you because when I look at recipes and see that it takes about 5 hours, I just tap out. Even this Quick King Cake recipe from Emeril Lagasse seems just a little too involved to me. Ok, it’s not THAT involved. I would LOVE to be the type of person to be able to make King Cakes from scratch but I just love so many different types from various places. I’d have serious FOMO because undoubtedly, whatever I make is not going to be as delicious as my fave store bought versions.

(Picture Courtesy of Manny Randazzo King Cakes Facebook)

Manny Randazzo’s plain cream cheese, while a little plain to some, is one of my favorites. In fact, I usually send one to my brother who moved away from Louisiana in 2009 . When he moved “up North” I wanted him to be able to have a little piece of Louisiana. His birthday is also on February 10th so it made for a great birthday present. Well, now said brother (and sister-in-law) are both on a major fitness journey to hit some goals. Also, sister-in-law is recently trying a gluten free diet to combat some allergies. So you know what, on second thought, maybe it’s best if I just keep his for myself this year 😜

(Picture Courtesy of Thee Heavenly Donut Instagram)

If you really want to indulge in something decadent, don’t miss out on Thee Heavenly Donut! They are the self-proclaimed “home of the original fried King Cake”. Let me tell you, this mouth watering ring of deliciousness does NOT last long in a home. In fact, don’t even check in on Facebook, add to your Insta story or snap about it if you get one. You will for sure have some friends pop by unexpectedly.

(Picture Courtesy of Oak Point Fresh Market Instagram)

Let’s not forget Oak Point Fresh Market and their endless selection of mouth-watering flavors. I think one year we got a new one a week for 4 weeks to try several different flavors. My top picks from Oak Point are the strawberry cream cheese, tuxedo and berry chantilly flavors. These new fun sized King Cakes look like they could be dangerous. I like to live dangerously. Maybe a trip to Oak Point is in my near future.

Of course, everyone loves the King Cake component of Carnival Season. But we also live for the parades. Everyone loves to see which national celebrity will reign as king for the Krewe of Bacchus. Throughout the years, they have had greats like J.K. Simmons, Will Ferrell and even Bob Hope. If you are lucky enough to score one of the coveted coconuts from the Krewe of Zulu, you are truly living your best Mardi Gras life. I love when Krewes have a fun theme. Like the “Terrible Theme Park Ideas” theme for Krewe of Push Mow this year. Some ideas they have listed on their website are Kardashian World and Universal Studios Bogalusa 😂

Here in Baton Rouge, I love how cute the Krewe of Mutts is. A friend of mine is mom to Lobo the Wonder Pom and it’s always so fun to hear about how much she goes all out on the float for Lobo and his doggie friends 🙂 Of course, all of Baton Rouge gets excited when Capitol Lake is “flocked” with yard flamingos for the Spanish Town Mardi Gras.

See below for links to parade schedules near us:

Click for the Baton Rouge parade schedule

Click for the New Orleans parade schedule

Click for the North Shore/St. Tammany Parish parade schedule

I hope everyone has a great start to Carnival Season! Lassiez le bon temps rouler!