King Cake Ordering deadline March 1

Through the COOLING RACK- the New Melle Baking Company is offering a special cake for Fat Tuesday this year. Order yours before the March 1 deadline. Come by the bakery, message on Facebook or submit your order online.

We have put together a little children’s story outlining this wonderful tradition. We hope our Bakery can bring this old world tradition into your home this Mardi Gras Season!

The Magic of Carnival and the King Cake

Once upon a time, in a colorful town full of music, laughter, and excitement, there was a very special time of year that everyone eagerly awaited. It was called Carnival Time!

Carnival began on a glorious day called the Feast of the Epiphany, which came every year on January 6. On this day, people remembered the Three Wise Men, or the Three Magi, who traveled a long way to visit a tiny baby named Jesus. They brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and it was a moment that showed how special Jesus was to everyone, no matter where they lived or where they came from.

"Epiphany" means “to show” — and that’s just what happened. The wise men, who weren't from Jesus' country, saw something special in him and knew he was the Savior for all people, not just for the people in Israel. And so, Carnival was born, a joyful celebration that brought everyone together.

But what made Carnival even more fun was the delicious King Cake! The King Cake tradition came from a faraway land called France. A long time ago, in 1870, the people in New Orleans started making these cakes to celebrate the season.

The King Cake was a big, round, and colorful cake, shaped like a crown to remind everyone of the kings who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It was decorated with royal colors: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. People would gather with their families and friends to enjoy a slice of this special cake.

Long ago, people would hide little surprises in the cake, like coins or beans, but today, the tradition is to hide a tiny plastic baby inside. Whoever found the baby in their slice of cake was crowned the "King" for the day! This person had a very important job: they would host the next party and bring the next King Cake.

As the days of Carnival passed, the town would become more and more alive with music, dancing, and laughter. People wore colorful costumes, parades filled the streets, and everyone shared in the joy of the season, just like the wise men shared their gifts with the baby Jesus.

And so, every year, the magic of Carnival continues to bring everyone together to celebrate the joy and love that Jesus brought to the world, making everyone feel like kings and queens, if only for a day.