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
Noelle CarterExamples of king cake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Traditional foods include jambalaya, king cake, paczkis and pancakes.
—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Familiar fare such as po’ boys and king cakes are again on the streets of the theme park, too.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Add on a hurricane, daiquiri or sazerac and a mini king cake filled with espresso cream.
—Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
But my friends had also brought over a few other kinds of king cake.
—Chris Sprow, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for king cake
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Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Familiar fare such as po’ boys and king cakes are again on the streets of the theme park, too.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Add on a hurricane, daiquiri or sazerac and a mini king cake filled with espresso cream.
—Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
But my friends had also brought over a few other kinds of king cake.
—Chris Sprow, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for king cake
Cite this Entry
“King cake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/king%20cake. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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