VANITY--Best King Cake

[AbolishCSEU]

Opinions needed on best King Cake from a commercial bakery. So far most impressed with Paul's. Just ordered a Haydel's and the filling was placed in blobs on the top. So not really a "filling" and unevenly spread. Would have DIYed but in a cast this year.

[gspurlock]

In my mind, the best King Cake is one from a friend. I received one yesterday from a dear friend in Louisiana, and it is from Ralph’s Market. I don’t have anything to compare it to on the culinary side, but it’s flavored with friendship.

[Born to Conserve]

If it doesn’t fall apart at room temperature, it’s no good.

[lee martell]

I’ve never heard of King Cake company. Where are they usually found? I’m in California.

I was just about to go to a nearby Bagel Shop and buy one of their cookies called Hamantash. A Hamantash is a triangle of shortbread that usually has a drop of fruit filling or prunes on the top center. They’ve been getting smaller and more expensive through the years.

[Meatspace]

Gambino’s

[AbolishCSEU]

King cake is a type of cake. More like a yeast/risen sweet dough usually filled with cinnamon, not the actual name of a bakery. Eaten before Lent up through Mardi Gras 2/16

[lee martell]

Oh...I see!
I had forgotten about fun stuff like Mardi Gras this time of year.
I might have already missed Ash Wednesday.

[AbolishCSEU]

nope that is the 17th

[Afterguard]

Haven’t had a king cake in years. Now I’m gonna have to try to find one. Do they still put the little figurine in them?

[military cop]

Randazzo’s in NOLA.

Trust me.

RLTW

[Be Free]

My wife is partial to “Best Bakery” on Tunnel Blvd. in Houma, Louisiana.That’s in the heart of Cajun Country. I know they will ship to wherever you are.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cake&ved=2ahUKEwiWiMzAv-fuAhXQGs0KHYPuCu8QmhMwDXoECAoQAg&usg=AOvVaw0Q6xqIPOWqQhNGneRL1SuM&cshid=1613241155675

[AbolishCSEU]

sometimes or on the side

[AbolishCSEU]

tried them too so far paul’s was in the lead

[AbolishCSEU]

will try next year. i live in ny

[wardaddy]

Pauls seems to be the favorite online

However....even though I’m from Mississippi home of Paul’s I prefer the traditional cinnamon king cake over Paul’s cream cheese filling

Hence.....

Haydels cause I like the Brioche style

Brennan’s traditional but they don’t ship I do t think

[democratsaremyenemy]

Paul’s used to one of the best, but not any more.

[EinNYC]

I was just about to go to a nearby Bagel Shop and buy one of their cookies called Hamantash. A Hamantash is a triangle of shortbread that usually has a drop of fruit filling or prunes on the top center. They’ve been getting smaller and more expensive through the years.

The Jewish holiday of Purim ("Lots") is coming up in a couple weeks. It is a holiday which celebrates the deliverance of ancient Persia's Jews from an extermination decree put into place by the evil Grand Vizier Haman. Lots were drawn to determine the date of the mass extermination, hence the name Purim (plural of "pur": lot). The brave Queen Esther risked being put to death by approaching the King (Ahasuerus) without his first requesting her presence (the penalty for doing so was death). She wanted to invite the King and Haman to a banquet, wherein she ultimately exposed Haman as threatening all the Jews in the kingdom with death--which included her. She had never previously revealed to Ahasuerus that she was a Jew. Loving his queen very much, Ahasuerus was incensed that Haman would plot such a thing and immediately sentenced him and his 10 sons to hanging on the gallows that Haman had had built for Esther's uncle Mordechai, a very learned and prominent Jew who lived in the city, to be hung on. But Haman and his sons were the ones who swung instead. Ahasuerus appointed Mordechai as his new Grand Vizier and gave Haman's estate to Queen Esther. Mordechai and Esther then wrote and had distributed throughout the kingdom orders countermanding the extermination decree. A joyous holiday was declared forevermore throughout the land, and wherever Jews are found. The celebration includes dressing up in costumes and hearing the Scroll of Esther recited in the synagogue, using noisemakers to blot out Haman's name wherever it is mentioned. It also includes giving charity to the poor, distributing packages of goodies to your friends and consuming triangular pastries called Hamantashen ("Haman's Hat -- for the triangular shape of the hat he wore), and a feast at midday. In Jewish neighborhoods (when it is not COVID-time), you can see celebrants walking around in costumes delivering their goodies baskets to friends, and yeshiva boys driving around in costumes to knock on Jewish neighbors' doors to solicit funds for their yeshiva. A great time is had by all!!

There are many recipes for Hamantashen, and most of them are not shortbread. Mine are made of a type of cookie dough. Some are yeast risen. The most traditional filling is prune, but it can be anything ranging from jelly to chocolate mousse, etc.

[lee martell]

Well thank you for that lesson. I had not any idea at all about the cultural background of that confection.
I also didn’t know till now about why there is so much classical music devoted to Queen Esther. Operas included. Now I get it!