You don’t have to be in New Orleans to get a piece of Mardi Gras king cake. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites available by mail. Just watch out for the plastic baby.


A Mardi Gras sweet tradition—the king cake (Photos: Sam Hanna)

Sucré
Made by hand and stuffed with a whipped cream cheese filling, the cakes from this Magazine Street bakery are a welcome update on the classic. Rich, buttery, and topped with a shimmering iridescent doughnut glaze, they just about glow. shopsucre.com

Manny Randazzo
Pillowy and sprinkle-laden, the Randazzo family’s cakes have become so popular that they do them year-round, and in a variety of styles—from traditional cinnamon to pecan praline. randazzokingcake.com

Tastee McKenzie’s
Locals mourned the loss of the original McKenzie’s, but the folks at the newly minted Tastee McKenzie's are reviving the old recipe and reintroducing this considerably less sweet brioche-style king cake to a whole new generation. Best enjoyed over breakfast and a good cup of coffee. 504-483-9080

Ambrosia Bakery
This Baton Rouge bakeshop turns out between three and four hundred king cakes each day. More than a dozen flavor combos are available, but the signature Zulu king cake topped with chocolate fudge and toasted coconut is the showstopper. ambrosiabakery.com

Below: A king cake takes shape at Sucré.