Every year as Mardi Gras approaches, king cakes become a delicious centerpiece for celebrations across the globe. With their rich history and vibrant flavors, these cakes are a symbol of the festive season and are eagerly anticipated by many. From traditional New Orleans bakeries to innovative brands bringing unique twists, the options for king cake lovers continue to grow. Curious to discover which brands stand out for their exceptional king cakes? Read on below.
Illustration of king cake
Best brands of king cake in 2025
Gambino's Bakery
Gambino's Bakery is a renowned institution in New Orleans, celebrated for its world-famous king cakes that have been a staple for over 70 years. Introduced by Beulah Ledner in the early 1920s, Gambino's has grown from a small uptown kitchen to a beloved brand, earning it the title of the "Doberge Queen of New Orleans." Their king cakes, made from scratch with high-quality ingredients, have exceeded $2 million in sales for their King Cake Rum Cream, a product launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a strong customer base and over 10,000 reviews, Gambino's continues to innovate and capture the essence of Mardi Gras in its products. Their traditional king cakes and unique flavors, such as the Pecan Praline Filled King Cake, make them a top choice for Mardi Gras celebrations.
Dong Phuong Bakery
Dong Phuong Bakery, founded in 1982, is renowned as one of the best producers of king cakes in New Orleans, having won the 2018 James Beard American Classic Award for its timeless appeal and quality food. This Vietnamese bakery, located in the heart of New Orleans East, offers a variety of king cake flavors, including original cinnamon, cream cheese, pecan, strawberry, coconut, and almond. Their king cakes are made with rich, brioche dough and feature a signature cream cheese icing, along with a hidden baby figurine. These cakes are available during the Mardi Gras season, from January to late February, and can be ordered online or picked up in-store, with a limit of five cakes per day for pickup orders. Dong Phuong Bakery's king cakes are highly sought after, often selling out quickly, especially during peak season.
Manny Randazzo King Cakes
Manny Randazzo King Cakes is a renowned bakery in Metairie, Louisiana, founded in 1965 by Sam Randazzo and his three sons. The bakery specializes in traditional king cakes and has been acclaimed for its excellence, winning the best traditional king cake in the King Cake Snob competition in 2017 and 2019. Their king cakes have been featured in prominent publications such as The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate, Food & Wine, Delish, and Eater. Manny Randazzo's king cakes are also popular among U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise, who annually buys and delivers them to fellow congresspeople during Mardi Gras. The bakery's commitment to quality and tradition has made it a staple in New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebrations.
Sucré
Sucre is renowned as one of the best producers of king cakes, particularly celebrated for its award-winning buttery Danish pastry. Voted "A Favorite" by the Times-Picayune King Cake Contest and "BEST" King Cake by a Washington Post blind taste test, Sucre's king cakes are sweetened with cinnamon and raw cane sugar, often featuring a light layer of creole cream cheese. Their king cakes are airbrushed by hand in the traditional purple, green, and gold colors and dusted with edible glitter, adding a unique and festive touch. Sucre's commitment to quality and tradition makes their king cakes a staple of Mardi Gras celebrations. Their recipes and decorations reflect the deep-rooted traditions of Louisiana's Mardi Gras. For more information on ordering king cakes online, visit the Food Network's king cake delivery guide.
Haydel's Bakery
Haydel's Bakery, a renowned family-owned bakery in New Orleans since 1959, is celebrated for producing some of the best king cakes, having held the Guinness Record for the World's Largest King Cake since 2010. This massive king cake, measuring 5,300 feet long and weighing 8,688 pounds, was created in collaboration with the New Orleans Saints and raised over $47,000 for charity. David Haydel, Sr., an internationally certified Craftsman and Master Baker, leads the bakery in crafting traditional king cakes, Cajun Kringle(r), and other pastries. Haydel's Bakery ships thousands of king cakes nationwide and globally during the Carnival season, making it a staple in Mardi Gras celebrations. Their commitment to quality and tradition has made them a favorite among locals and international customers alike.
Paul’s Pastry Shop
Paul's Pastry Shop, based in Picayune, Mississippi, is renowned as one of the best producers of king cakes, particularly famous for its original fruit and cream cheese-filled varieties. The bakery, which opened in 1970, produces over 70,000 to 75,000 king cakes during the Mardi Gras season and ships around 3,500 king cakes to all 50 states. They offer more than 40 different king cake flavors and use a unique sweet, heavier dough that sets them apart. The shop goes through about 300,000 pounds of ingredients during Mardi Gras season and has been in business for over 50 years, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. Paul's Pastry Shop is also a full-service cafe and wholesale bakery, supplying king cakes to approximately 54 wholesale locations.
Maurice French Pastries
Maurice French Pastries, located in Metairie, Louisiana, is renowned for its exquisite king cakes, earning the People's Choice Award for best King Cake at the 2016 New Orleans King Cake Festival. Owned by French chef Jean-Luc Albin since 1989, the shop offers a variety of king cake flavors, including traditional cinnamon, praline cream cheese, and the unique General Foster king cake featuring banana and Chantilly cream. Their king cakes are made from sweet brioche bread, often infused with cinnamon and topped with purple, green, and gold sugar, and are shipped nationwide. The shop's commitment to artisanal techniques and high-quality ingredients has made it a legendary destination for pastry lovers. With its iconic king cakes serving 8-12 people, Maurice French Pastries continues to be a top choice for those seeking authentic New Orleans pastries.
Keller's Bakery
Keller's Bakery is renowned for its high-quality king cakes, made from a homemade danish pastry recipe that has been perfected over 120 years. Each king cake undergoes a meticulous process involving over 15 steps and multiple days to prepare, filled with specialty-made fillings and decorated with traditional Mardi Gras colors. The bakery is particularly famous for its amaretto walnut king cake, praised for its soft texture and creamy filling. Despite the absence of shipping in 2024, Keller's Bakery remains a favorite among king cake enthusiasts, with its products often highlighted in local reviews and challenges. The bakery's commitment to quality and tradition has solidified its position as one of the best king cake producers.
Caluda’s King Cake
Caluda's King Cake is a renowned family-run business in the New Orleans Metro area, boasting over 35 years of experience with a 10,000 sq. ft. bakery in Harahan, LA. They achieved an impressive 2,393% return on investment during their 2018/2019 digital marketing campaign and recorded a 158% increase in organic sessions from 2017 to 2019. Caluda's amassed over 580 new reviews and 1,000 page views on their onsite reviews page, while their social media campaign attracted over 3,000 new fans. Offering a wide variety of king cakes, including traditional and non-traditional flavors, they have been shipping fresh cakes nationwide since 2009. Their collaboration with Ochsner Health System's Eat Fit team has resulted in a successful gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly king cake option, catering to diverse dietary needs.
Southern Maid Donuts
Southern Maid Donuts, established in 1937 by Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Hargrove, is renowned for its high-quality king cakes, a tradition that dates back to the 12th century. Their king cakes are baked fresh daily and filled with fruit or cream fillings, adhering to traditional Mardi Gras colors and customs. The company's commitment to quality ingredients and uncompromised procedures has ensured its continued success. Southern Maid Donuts is a staple in Louisiana, particularly during the carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras. Their king cakes are decorated with gold, green, and purple, symbolizing power, faith, and justice.
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