Hello?? Who wouldn’t want what is basically a spiced coffee cake but really is so much more? I love a good coffee cake too. It reminds me of our family tradition of watching the Thanksgiving and Rose Bowl parades together every year. My mom would make that coffee cake with the crumb topping or sometimes she made these orange frosted spice buns that were to die for. And back then (the 70’s…eek!) the moms in the neighborhood would still get together periodically for coffee and cake and it was so fun with all the kiddos playing in the backyard and the moms kicking back on the sofa and chit chatting.
The king cake tradition dates back farther than the 18th century and Twelfth Night and Epiphany celebrations. Now these days we associate it with New Orleans Mardi Gras but its origins are decidedly not on this side of the “big water”. Sometimes it’s a filled almond pastry but more often a variation on the butter and egg rich brioche of the Bordeaux region in France. The tradition includes a bean or a charm or, as it’s evolved, a baby that symbolizes good luck or identifies the “king” or “queen”. It’s getting close to that time of year and we have a delicious cake recipe that we just love to use. Our version is a butter and egg rich cake with cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. We use colored sugar glazes and throw in some beads (no flashing please…we’re a family establishment!) and a sugar paste baby (no plastic babies=no broken teeth=stable liability premiums!).
It’s certainly going to be easier for us this year to meet the demand with our 20-quart mixer but as with many of the specialty items we offer, it’s as much about establishing a tradition with food and bringing people together into the community of flavor that’s important to us. We love that it’s one of those foods that has that long and rich history, whether it’s something you celebrate every year or not. Because it’s when we all sit together around the table that we really become part of the same family.
If you want to order a king cake…holler!
Hmmm… my friend Jenny has been talking you up! I’m looking forward to my first visit; I love the “helping kids out” aspect, AND I’m eager to sample those rosemary cookies! While I’m thinking about it, you don’t by any chance have a separate room for showers, family parties or meetings, do you?
Hi Mary,
Yes, in the building there is separate events space for parties that are more than 22 people, which is the maximum we can hold in the cafe. Either spot is available for reservation. The space upstairs can seat 60 and has AV equipment for meetings. It’s a beautiful room with 30 foot windows and a small kitchenette if you bring in your own food. Moxie Bakery & Cafe can also cater for you.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Elin