Mardi Gras

King Cakes are a huge part of Mardi Gras traditions throughout the south. The cake's origins date back to the Feast of the Epiphany or Twelfth Night, which honors the three kings present at the Christ child's birth. Which is most likely where the custom of hiding a tiny baby doll in the cake started.
Tradition calls for the person who gets the "lucky" piece of cake with the baby doll inside, to throw the next party or make the next King Cake. The cake closely resembles a rich, sweet bread is decorated in teh traditional Mardi Gras colors: green, representing faith; gold, symbolizing power; purple, dnoting justice.
I made this King Cake for Greg's office - we'll see who gets to make the next one!