What makes the perfect king cake?
Is it the flaky, sweet body of the cake itself? Maybe it’s the delectable icing cascading down the sides that makes it so irresistible. For some, it’s the feeling of knowing in that first bite you’ll get hit with the rush of cinnamon and cream cheese (or Bavarian cream if that’s your thing). For a lot of folks, the perfect king cake just comes from home – right here in Shreveport-Bossier.
What is king cake?
If you are unfamiliar with this esteemed treat, it is the one and only dessert of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras season. Traditionally, it is a halo shaped cake with a bready texture. Frosted with icing, it is then decorated in three token colors that Louisianians wear proudly every year during the months of January and February. Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold is the color of power. The plastic baby that is hidden in the pastry is said to symbolize baby Jesus and will bring good luck in the new year to whomever finds it.
Where can you get a king cake in Shreveport-Bossier?
Lilah’s Bakery
Lilah’s is Shreveport’s own original King Cake Bakery. According to customer testimonials on their website, these are some of the most soft, fresh, and delicious king cakes around. They have a whopping 23 flavors to choose from, and they even offer a variety of gluten-free options. You are sure to find your new favorite flavors at this local pastry hot spot.
Lowder Baking Company
Lowder Baking Company started as an in-home operation and before they knew it, Preston and Sarah Lowder grew out of their kitchen and opened their own local bakery. They offer a large plain or cream cheese filled king cake. They even offer mini king cakes to share (or not share, shh!). For those out-of-the box dessert lovers, Lowder is rolling out more than just good times and traditional looking king cakes through their doors. They have other Mardi Gras inspired desserts such as the Krewe Sugar Cookie, and a gluten free Bundt King Cake.
Dripp Donut
Dripp Donut is Shreveport-Bossier’s newest supplier of king cake (this is the delectable looking king cake in the header above)! Dripp Donuts is a gourmet donut, kolache and coffee shop located in in downtown Shreveport. Indulge in their tempting flavors of king cakes: OG, bananas foster, and pralines & cream. Dripp Donut isn't just about taste; their king cakes are crafted to be as visually stunning as their iconic donuts, some of which also have a Mardi Gras theme. Their king cakes are similar to a donut and monkey bread combination with a Mardi Gras twist - a must try!
Southern Maid
While Southern Maid has been making delicious donuts since 1932, they only added King Cakes to their menu about 15 years ago. If you love donuts, this is the king cake for you. Its sweet dough is unmatched when paired with their donut glaze. To top it off, the whole cake is drizzled in icing. In their expert opinion, placing a slice in the microwave for 8 - 10 seconds will maximize your enjoyment of this heavenly donut experience. The only problem with this king cake is how you will decide between cream cheese, Bavarian cream, raspberry, chocolate cream cheese, or strawberry cream.
Tubbs Hardware
You might not expect to find a top-notch king cake at a hardware store, but Tubbs delivers with their Extreme King Cake. They have extreme cinnamon, extreme strawberry, extreme chocolate, and more. As the winner of 318 Forum Magazine's 2019 Great 318 King Cake Contest, Don Tubbs shares that his secret to the king cakes success was finding out that people want king cake with an extreme amount of filling, not like most king cakes in South Louisiana.
Julie Anne's Bakery
Julie Anne’s has been perfectly crafting specialty desserts and pastries in Shreveport for over three decades. Freshly baked every morning, there are 28 (that’s right, 28) different flavors to choose from. If you can think of a flavor, they will make it happen. With the same sweet dough used for their danishes (and their one of a kind homemade buttercream icing) you’re sure to experience a festive dessert like never before.
Where can I get a king cake in other parts of Louisiana?
If you are not in the Shreveport-Bossier area, there are so many fantastic king cakes from all over the state of Louisiana. From Shreveport to New Orleans, these 12 restaurants serve the best king cake in Louisiana.
For more information on a Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras experience, visit ShreveportMardiGras.com.
