This Delicious Mardi Gras Tradition Actually Started In Mississippi

Even though Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, Alabama, it’s New Orleans that’s often associated with the holiday. Likewise, the Louisiana city is often credited with the creation of filled King Cakes, but as it turns out, that’s simply not the case. Stuffed with cream cheese and fruit fillings, filled King Cakes actually originated in the small town of Picayune, Mississippi at Paul’s Pastry bakery. Today, the hometown bakery is world famous and still serving its delicious creation 47 years later. Take a look:

From wild parades to formal balls, there’s a lot to love about Mardi Gras.

But there’s no denying that one of the best traditions associated with the holiday is King Cake.

Although the first Mardi Gras in the south was celebrated much earlier, the King Cake tradition didn’t begin in the region until the late 1870s.

For the next 100 years, the King Cake remained virtually unchanged – that is, until the early 1970s, when Paul’s Pastry was opened in Picayune.

The small town bakery began filling King Cakes with a variety of fruits and cream cheese.

The delicious stuffed cakes have been a huge hit ever since, with filling options growing to include an assortment of more than 40 flavors, including Hawaiian Delight, Mississippi Mud, and Berry Deluxe.

Extremely popular, the King Cakes are sold year-round and are available in all sorts of flavors, shapes, and sizes, making them perfect for just about any occasion.

Now known as the “home of the original fruit and cream cheese filled King Cakes,” Paul’s Pastry has gained notoriety around the world.

Last year alone, the bakery sold 65,000 King Cakes. This year, the number is expected to reach 75,000.

Throughout the years, Paul’s has received numerous awards and been featured in countless publications.

In 2014, the bakery received one of its most impressive honors when the “Official Best of” designated Paul’s cake “The Best King Cake.”

As of today, Paul's Pastry ships its King Cakes worldwide.

Aside from being sold by Paul’s Pastry, the mouthwatering cakes are available in select stores, both regionally as well as nationally.

Ready to try the famous King Cake for yourself?

Visit Paul’s Pastry at 1 Sycamore Road Ste. A in Picayune. For more information on the bakery, including other locations, or to place an order, click here.

Have you ever tried a famous Paul’s Pastry King Cake? Plan on ordering one this year? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Looking for another great spot in the state to visit? Check out “The Mississippi Restaurant That Was One Of The Nation’s Top 10 Of 2016 Is Irresistible.“

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Most People Don’t Realize This Louisiana Tradition Actually Started In Mississippi

Daniella DiRienzo

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