Looking for a traditional King Cake and you don’t want to wait on one from NOLA? There are a handful of places right here in the ATX that make the tasty traditional concoction.
But before we give you a list of our local faves, here’s a little bit of history of the festive dessert.
According to Mardi Gras New Orleans, the decorative cake is meant to represent the exchanging of gifts and feasting during the Epiphany, or the coming of the wise men that brought gifts to the Christ Child. Celebrations all over the world take place during this time, and to honor the three kings, the custom of baking a special cake was born.
Please note that most king cakes need to be pre-ordered so check each restaurant’s website, social media accounts or give them a call ASAP so you don’t miss out!
Now, here are some of the best King Cake makers in Austin!
Easy Tiger
Known for its renowned bakeshop, Easy Tiger was an obvious addition to our list. The cake is made with the bakeshop’s pain au lait dough and is filled with butter and cinnamon sugar. The flaky cake comes with a tiger figurine in the place of a traditional baby for an added twist sure to make any LSU fan happy.
Stuffed Cajun Meat Market
Want authentic New Orleans style king cakes? Try Stuff Cajun Meat Market! They have traditional plain, cream cheese, cherry, lemon, or bavarian cream! Place your orders online with a 72-hour notice. Order here.
Walton’s Fancy & Staple
Walton’s Fancy & Staple whips up scrumptious desserts daily, and their king cake is no different. The dough is braided in-house and is fluffy and moist. Offering a variety of filling options, our fave is a homemade cinnamon cream cheese filling that isn’t too sweet and adds a creamy texture. Cakes are available by custom order and usually take 48 hours. As Fat Tuesday approaches, whole cakes will also be available in the cases, while supplies last.
Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop
Sugar Mama’s aims to Keep Austin Sweet. And with this year’s king cake recipes, rest assured the shop is doing just that. We didn’t sample the raspberry cream cheese flavor, but the classic praline was nutty and made for a perfect dessert. The other two flavors are lemon ginger and banana peanut butter. Be sure to order yours with 48 hours notice.
Sawyer & Co.
Sawyer & Co. is a New Orleans-inspired diner and a no-brainer for King Cakes. Baked at their sister company, 2dine4, bakers use Chef Happy’s original recipe from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The diner offers two flavors to choose from: original cream cheese and praline cream cheese.
Julie Myrtille Bakery
French King Cake called Galette des Rois in France. So that’s what Julie Myrtille Bakery is here deliver! Their Galette des Rois is traditional and made of golden flaky homemade puff pastry and filled with a delicious creamy almond frangipane cream. Julie Myrtille Bakery will be making Galettes des Rois all throughout January. They will be available at the bakery boutique by the slice. You can order a whole cake to share with your family and friends. One cake can be shared up to 8 people and comes with a golden paper paper crown and a trinket!
Gati Ice Cream
If gluten is an issue look no further. Gati ice cream has mastered the art of a gluten free King Cake! It also makes the perfect gift for those with food intolerances in your life. Best part is that if you find the baby in your slice, you get free ice cream from Gati!
Central Market
Central Market offers king cakes at both of their Austin locations. Featuring traditional cream cheese filling as well as raspberry and strawberry cream filled, all cakes are baked in house and decorated with the traditional purple, green, and yellow sprinkles. Good luck baby included.
Tiny Pies
Tiny King Cakes anyone? These tiny cakes are cinnamon spiced brioche dough with a sweet glaze and sprinkles in royal colors. Pre-order to get your tiny treat now so you can indulge on your Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday!
MudJewel’s Bakehouse
You’ve heard of King Cakes but have you heard of sourdough King Cakes? MudJewel’s Bakehouse a local Austin gourmet sourdough bakery is offering up sourdough King Cakes for pick-up or delivery. They even offer a vegan option! Their King Cakes are baked day of and made with the freshest natural ingredients. Find all the benefits of sourdough and how to get your hands on this delicious seasonal treat here.
Lola’s Donuts
We have three words for you, king cake donuts! One of Austin’s newest donut shops is offering brioche donuts with a cinnamon cereal milk glaze topped with baby figurines. Order your pickup order here.
Cypress Grill
It’s that time of year and Cypress Grill has once again ordered authentic New Orleans King Cakes straight from Gambino’s! You can try your luck at the restaurant or you can preorder anytime by calling!
épicerie café and grocery
We love original king cake but that doesn’t mean we’re not dying to try épicerie’s kind cake cruffins (croissant-muffin). These tasty original treats will be available Saturdays through March.
La Pâtisserie
Try a traditional french king cake aka a galette de rois. La Pâtisserie is offering a galette de rois with a raspberry and almond filling. It comes with a crown and a baby, on the side.
Curious Confections
Nobody does king cake like Curious Confections. They have traditional, gluten free traditional, filled (apple, cream cheese, lemon curd), plus 6 specialty king cakes. Our favorite is the Bananas Foster, it’s filled with bananas foster and topped with a rum caramel icing! Mardi gras is on March 1 this year, so there’s plenty of time to try them all!
Additional reporting provided by Sommer Brugal in previous publications.
Featured photo via Dani Parsons / Walton’s Fancy & Staple
