Fleur De Lis Bakery in Gulfport preparing for King Cake season

Today marks King’s Day, otherwise known as Twelfth Night or the Epiphany, which marks the official start of the Mardi Gras season.

Bakeries along the Coast are preparing king cakes for the carnival season.

During Mardi Gras season, one of the many traditions include indulging in a buttery, gooey cake that represents the 12 day journey the three kings took to Bethlehem to honor Baby Jesus.

At Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery in Gulfport, instead of the sweet gooey goodness of a New Orleans style king cake, they make theirs a little different. Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery Owner Jason Brewer said, “I do a French style king cake called a pithivier. I do the traditional one like they do in France.”

The French pastry takes lots of butter, cream cheese, and high-quality marmalade to bake them to perfection. “There are tons of regular original New Orleans style king cakes. So, I wanted to create something different that wasn’t that overly sweet with like all the sugar and stuff. So, mine doesn’t have the icing on top.”

The bakery has always made king cakes for pickup, but this is the year they want to incorporate something new so that everyone can get a chance to taste their unique cake. “We are super busy. Orders are coming in by the droves. We are trying to start a new, being able to ship them this year.”

Brewer says he is just excited for the Mardi Gras season to finally be back.