For those of you that don’t know what a king cake is, it’s a cake that is used to celebrate various celebrations around the world, most specifically the festival of the Epiphany in Europe, and in the US it’s used to celebrate Mardi Gras.  Traditionally it is a ring cake that is colored in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of yellow, green and purple.  It also has a little baby baked inside and the person who finds the baby gets the honor of providing the king cake for next year’s party.  Depending on where you get your cake, it can be more like a brioche bread covered in a frosting, or a puff pastry stuffed with nuts.

Before I had tasted the one from Community Bakery in Little Rock, the ones I had eaten were more like a bread, somewhat dry, and had a thick layer of frosting on it.  Anybody that knows me knows that I have an aversion to bakery icing because I tend to find it somewhat bitter, and so my experience with those king cakes was not what I would call a good one.  However, my mind was forever changed about king cake with the one from Community Bakery.   Theirs is a delicious cinnamon and cream cheesy pastry that is so fluffy and delicious I could eat the whole thing.  Then as if the cake itself wasn’t good enough they frost it with a thin and not overpowering icing, and top it off with crunchy colored sugar.  I got this picture snapped very quickly before my accomplice dove into it face first.

there it is in it's delicious glory

I have never been so happy to have to get food for research for this blog!  Also, in addition to perfect pastries, Community Bakery also makes all sorts of goodies, and has a cafe and coffee shop.  While I was in there picking up this cake the place was full of patrons enjoying the baked goods and atmosphere at their downtown location.  Their website is very good and can tell you everything you need to know about their services.  Being that Dena is the photographer and not me, I will direct you to their site so you can see for yourself how cool their shops are.   I hope that you and yours have a fantastic Fat Tuesday!

So with the usual suspects in tow, we headed to the bakery, where of course, several cupcakes were immediately bought and devoured.  Jeremy the owner was very gracious and was glad to let me take pictures of some of his lovely creations.  With so many things that beg to be eaten, the only negative about this place is that it’s so hard to make a decision!

I see this one in May for someone….

There are an infinite number of combinations with the cupcakes, and I would not mind being a personal guinea pig for new flavors!

Anyone with this theme is OK by me! Check out the website and see what he can do with sugar and marzipan. Most importantly everything he makes is as delicious as it is beautiful.  Even my picky family agreed. (please note my family saved me NONE of the treats)

If you are in Texarkana, swing by The Bakerman. You won’t regret it.