Because the cakes were traditionally made for Epiphany (hence the king), which is when I've always had them.

ETA: Galettes are generally only sold in early January, although sometimes this is extended through Chandeleur (Candlemas), which some consider the close of the Christmas season. Galettes are puff pastry filled with frangipane (which I love).

Plei - polish question for you. I have Ruby Slippers from China Glaze and would love to find a black with a similar glitter/shimmer. Any suggestions?

Lubu Heels, which is also China Glaze.

Are king cakes more associated with the end of the Mardi Gras season than the beginning? I figured everyone was just rushing to get them in, but that the good eatings started on Epiphany. Unlike paczki, which I associate with the day itself.

Plei - polish question for you

With all the talk of paczki, I read this as Polish.

Ack! I was unclear. I was asking Dana.

ita, we got them pretty much anytime during carnival season.

Are king cakes more associated with the end of the Mardi Gras season than the beginning? I figured everyone was just rushing to get them in, but that the good eatings started on Epiphany. Unlike paczki, which I associate with the day itself.

Yeah, I'm assuming it's a blending of the original king cake concept with the using-up-things-before-Lent pancake/crepe/paczki concept that extends from one holiday to the other.

King cakes, in my experience, go all the way from Epiphany to Mardi Gras. You get the baby, you provide the next day's king cake. I it weren't for Lent, it would never end.

You get the baby, you provide the next day's king cake.

We always said next year's cake, though I think that was more for calorie reasons than time period reasons.

Thanks Plei. I'm on a no-buy right now - but I will try to remember that when I let myself off "restriction".

My favorite is the Mexican tradition that whoever is the king/queen has to make the tamales for Candlemas.