The Haydel's Bakery strawberry king cake was a journey of multiple flavors throughout each layer. I've had many king cakes growing up taking French class, but this was my first New Orleans-style king cake since moving from Atlanta and several locals and colleagues recommended Haydel's.

The Tartine king cake from the family behind Toast in New Orleans has made a big impact on the small business, spreading far from the Uptown bakery.

Growing up in New Orleans, Kaitlin Guerin remembers that every Carnival season was sweetened with appearances by king cakes. There were plenty of big, cinnamon-flecked, glazed slabs of braided brioche to choose from. And she notes that back then, “It would have been ridiculous to spend more than $20 on one.”

The fresh king cakes were supposed to arrive in D.C. earlier this week, but Haydel had to cancel orders as their bakery was snowed in and the airport was closed for several days.

King cake made out of snow