Mardi Gras in Albuquerque, New Mexico

ABC Cake Shop’s king cakes are decorated with purple, green, and gold sugar, beads

and curled ribbon.They can be filled with any of our signature fillings including but not limited to cream cheese, bavarian cream, cherry, and apple.

The purple symbolizes justice, the green symbolizes faith, and the gold symbolizes power

Starting on Epiphany on January 6, residents begin holding parties especially dedicated to King Cake. King Cake parties bring families and community members together to celebrate the joyous season of Mardi Gras, With its celebratory krewe parades and festivals. In fact, many in New Mexico take more pride in the Mardi Gras King Cake tradition than the parades. The dessert’s ability to engage friends and family in the “search for the baby,” the small figurine located inside the cake, is a fun way for residents.

Traditionally, a small plastic or porcelain baby is hidden into the king cake. It is usually green, gold, or purple to represent the colors of the holiday. Originally, the baby was placed into the cake to symbolize baby Jesus.

Today, the baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it in his/her slice of cake. In some traditions, the finder of the baby is designated “king” or “queen” for the evening. That person is also responsible for purchasing next year’s cake. or for throwing the next Mardi Gras party.