King Cake near Durham NC?

Hi

I'm looking for a bakery that makes King Cake for Mardi Gras. I tried Mad Hatter--they put a baby in any cake you want. I'm looking for a traditional King Cake.

Thanks.

[Tee]

I know you wanted local to Durham BUT we get ours overnight from NO via Haydels www.haydelbakery.com .
My wife grew up just up the coast from NO and hooked me on Haydels.
But I never get the baby....

[ucandanz01]

I got one last year from a guy that baked them and it was just like you could get back in New Orleans - looks like he is doing it again. I had gotten one from Fresh Market once and it was terrible and then tried one from Whole Foods with a similar disappointment.
Here's a link to where I found it: http://www.prlog.org/11762608-authent...

[burgeoningfoodie]

Chapel Hill Whole Foods has them as well.

[boaviagem]

My experience a few years ago with Whole Foods King Cakes in Durham and Chapel Hill was less than satisfactory.

I was in NO recently. I stopped by Whole Foods to buy some bulk items. They had many different King Cakes there. Perhaps the NO knowledge has spread to other locations.

Who Dat! Who Dat! Who Dat thinks dey gonna beat dem Saints!

[burgeoningfoodie]

I wonder if any of the places make a French Style King Cake as opposed to they typical King Cake's that come about. Is there something special about the cakes that can't be made at home?

[rockycat]

No, it's just that many people aren't comfortable with yeast baking. A king cake is basically a sweetened, enriched yeast dough filled with cinnamon sugar or cream cheese and coated after cooling with obscene amounts of sugar glaze and colored sugars. My favorite recipe ends with the direction "Serve with 10 mg Valium."

[burgeoningfoodie]

Oh okay. Yeah yeast baking (and baking in general) depends on so many factors. I don't know I've made Babka, Cinnamon Rolls, and Challah and time consumption aside they've come out alright. The convenience of a professional bakery making the cake is the way I would go unless I felt like I wanted to challenge myself.

I'm guessing most people search for the baby before taking a bite. I've had king cake but it was at a function and someone had already found the charm/baby.

[romansperson]

Great Harvest in Chapel Hill is advertising their King Cakes on their web site - they recommend ordering ahead.

http://freshbakedbread.com/

[omniveg]

Thanks for the link to GH. I see they will be open for Monday pickup if you order ahead -- that's what I plan to do.

[bbqme]

I saw them at the Durham Whole Foods.

[katspjs]

Does the King Cake at Great Harvest have a cinnamon filling?

[winedine]

La Farm in Cary has made them in the past. Pretty close to New Orleans style and I thnk you can order them with a baby in it. Pretty close to Durham. Rue Cler might be worth a phone call too.

[Saintdeer]

Harvest place does babies too. We have 3 kids so they put extras in for us. I called them just now to try and see if they will do strawberry cream cheese or praline n cheese filled ones. they r closed but left them my number. Im a chef at Duke DFC and want to hook up my employees...without having to do it myself..since we are basicly an obesity clinic I didnt thin the smell of pastries would be too nice:/ Keep me posted on other bakeries, i tried a bunch! most are not very good.

[Suzy Q]

The King Cakes at La Farm are fantastic! I get several there every year.

[Saintdeer]

hey I just found an awesome place for REAL N>O> KING CAKES!!! it is the Great Harvest bakery on South Elliott street in Chapel Hill. They have one in Durham too but don't know where. So here is my qualifier...I am an Executive Chef from New Orleans and these are as close as you r gonna get not going to Gambino"s or Langenstiens.. these are great, just got one last night and goin back tomorrow:}

Acme in Carrboro is doing them tonight. Give them a call and make a reservation.

Y'got me. I make my own. It isn't that tough - just time consuming.

Did you try Guglhupf's?

I'm looking for the same type of thing. I just tried Guglhupf's ... they don't do them.