
The Sweet Story Behind Mardi Gras King Cakes and Where to Find Them in Evansville
During this time of Mardi Gras (which is on Tuesday, March 4, 2025), there will be a plethora of "King" cakes prepared and served all over the country and here in Southern Indiana. The delicious strudel is a Mardi Gras tradition, but do you know why? Why do we eat this kind of cake? Why is it always purple, green, and yellow? And why is there a little plastic baby inside?
ALSO READ: Iconic Diner Named Indiana’s Best Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant
I once received a King Cake from a place called Tubbs Hardware (which also carries Cajun food and gifts) in Louisiana. There was a message on the side of the king cake box - an explanation of how the King cake came to be and its symbolism over the years.
At long last, our journey was joyfully fulfilled. The star we followed shined brightly over the stable where we found the holy baby Jesus. This is now known as the Twelfth Night of Christmas, January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany. With much revelry, this is now the beginning of the Mardi Gras season and is celebrated with the oval-shaped King Cake commemorating our journey and decorated in the carnival colors of green for FAITH, yellow for POWER, and purple for JUSTICE. As it is served, look for the bean, coin, or baby doll representing "our finding the baby Jesus," for you who gets the symbol buys the King Cake for the next party. Enjoy this delicious cake and celebrate as we did. In the name of Tradition, The Three Kings
Where to Find King Cakes in Southern Indiana
Our friends at Be Happy Pie Company are offering King Cakes again this year. Their made-from-scratch King Cakes are filled with a rich cinnamon pecan filling and topped with traditional Mardi Gras colors (and now you know what those colors mean). King Cakes are available through Mardi Gras (March 4) for $25 each with a 48-hour advanced notice. Call, order online, or visit their two locations.
- 2818 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Suite B, Evansville, IN 47712
- 6225 E. Virginia Street, Suite C, Evansville, IN 47715

Donut Bank Bakery has sold King Cakes in the past, and I'm assuming they will again this year, but I haven't gotten confirmation yet, so it is just an assumption. If/When they start making King Cakes, you'll be able to get them at the following Donut Bank locations.
- 4800 W. Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN 47712
- 1031 E. Diamond Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711
- 2128 N. First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710
- 5 N. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715
- 210 N. St. Joseph Avenue, Evansville, IN 47712
- 1950 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714
- 1200 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714
- 3988 SR 261, Newburgh, IN 47630
- 1303 W. Broadway, Princeton, IN 47670
- 2630 A Highway 41, Henderson, KY 42420
15 Evansville Area Restaurants Serving Cajun Food for Mardi Gras
Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan
Newburgh Home Celebrates Mardi Gras With House Parade Skeleton Yard Display
Gallery Credit: Leslie Morgan
More From My WJLT 105.3








