With the arrival of Mardi Gras, comes the resurgence of king cakes, the traditional New Orleanian cinnamon roll-esque pastry decked out in purple, green and gold sprinkles and/or beads. Part of the king cake tradition also includes hiding a miniature figure of a baby, meant to represent the infant Jesus, inside the dish.
We’ve rounded up this list of some of the bakers and venues in Louisville who are selling king cakes — and items inspired by them. The list now also includes the Polish delight pączki, which is also a popular Mardi Gras dessert.
Note: most of these, as indicated below, have to be ordered in advance, and premade king cakes tend to go quickly. Call a venue to check availability.
Plehn’s Bakery
3940 Shelbyville Road | plehns.com/mardi-gras/ | 502-896-4438
This popular bakery offers traditional cinnamon and cheese king cakes as well as cookies, cupcakes, cakes and “cookie monsters” decorated in Mardi Gras colors. Also selling pączki for Mardi Gras.
Heitzman Traditional Bakery and Deli
9426 Shelbyville Road | https://heitzmanbakery.com/ | 502-426-7736
This family-favorite bakery’s king cakes tend to go quickly, so make sure you pick up yours while supplies last.
Nord’s Bakery
2118 South Preston St. | www.nordsbakery.biz | 502-634-0931
This bakery gets plenty of rave reviews on the Louisville subreddit. Nords is sold out of small king cakes and only have the large available
Small Batch Craft Bakery
8308 Croydon Circle | smallbatchlouisville.com/products/new-orleans-king-cake | 502-889-1131
Native New Orleanian Lee Kresovsky makes these king cakes in honor of her hometown.
Kroger
Multiple locations | kroger.com | 1-800-576-4377 (generic number)
The grocery store chain often sells king cakes and pączki around this time of year. Check your neighborhood location.
Wiltshire Pantry
1310 East Breckinridge Street | wiltshirepantry.com/shop/product-category/holiday/ | 502-581-8560
Place your order for one of Wiltshire Pantry’s king cakes, which you have to pick up at the address listed above.
Sweet Stuff Bakery
323 E. Spring Street New Albany | sweetstuffbakery.com | 812-948-2507
At this New Albany bakery, cinnamon king cakes, cream cheese king cakes are available and prices vary.
Taylor’s Cajun Meat Company
3306 Plaza Dr Ste 190, New Albany | taylorscajunmeatco.com | 812-725-0039
It makes sense that a Cajun-inspired butcher shop would also make the most of Mardi Gras season. They’re selling king cakes from Adrienne & Co. Bakery in several flavors: “Bavarian Cream, Chocolate, Strawberry, Pecan Praline, and the newest addition — Maple Bacon.”
Williams Bakery
1051 N Clark Blvd, Clarksville | facebook.com/WilliamsBakery | 812-284-2867
Also across the river is this “old-fashioned” bakery in Clarksville. They’ve got King Cakes and glazed donuts decorated in Mardi Gras colors, too.
Meijer
Multiple locations | Meijer.com | 866-518-4293
Another grocery store chain that sells king cakes and pączki, which get rave reviews from the folks on reddit.
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