A porcelain figurine of a biblical character, like Jesus as a baby or one of the Three Kings ... Mardi Gras tradition of a plastic king cake baby. The recipe — created by the bakery's chef ...

King cake is eaten on January 6 in honor of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, which historically marks the arrival of the three wise men/kings in Bethlehem who delivered gifts to the baby Jesus.

attending parties or indulging in a slice of king cake. The dessert takes its name from the Gospel of Matthew story of the three magi — or three kings — who bring gifts to baby Jesus.