Houston’s bakeries are ready to let the good times roll for Mardi Gras season, as king cakes reemerge in bakery cases all around town. Whether you’re craving classic New Orleans-style cinnamon rings dusted with colorful sugar, or prefer deliciously modern versions made with pecan praline or chocolate ganache, here are some of the best establishments to find the most marvelous king cakes in Houston.
Moeller’s Bakery
Houston’s oldest family-owned bakery takes its Mardi Gras baking seriously. These gorgeous twisted rings are available in two sizes: small ($45), which serves 10-15, and large ($64), which serves more than 20. Choose from an optional filling, including raspberry, cream cheese, or a combination of both. Can’t commit to a whole cake? The Mardi Gras menu includes fleur de lis cupcakes and festive cookies that’ll make any Fat Tuesday celebration pop. 4201 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, moellersbakery.com.
French Gourmet Bakery
Through March 4, French Gourmet Bakery is serving up three ways to get your Carnival fix. The bakery’s show-stopping galette des rois ($55) is pure French decadence, with a 12-inch buttery puff pastry round stuffed with almond cream, and crowned with beads and coins; while the New Orleans-style king cake ($42) is a 10-inch round and comes with a choice of almond, cream cheese, or cinnamon filling. Stop by the bakery on weekends to nab a 5-inch king cake roll ($6), perfect for a party of one. 2250 Westheimer Rd., Houston, fgbakery.com.
Common Bond
King cakes and DIY king cake kits are back at Common Bond, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Sky High for Kids. Full-size king cakes ($46), in flavors like cinnamon and raspberry cream, are available to order with 72-hour notice through March 4; while DIY king cake kits ($26), which include a cinnamon king cake, royal icing, colorful sugars, and a tiny baby, can be preordered by February 27 for pickup March 4 or 5 at any Common Bond Bakery & Bistro location. $5 from every cake sold will support Sky High’s fight against pediatric cancer. Get hands-on at home, or send a kit ($25) to a child at Texas Children’s Hospital to spread Mardi Gras cheer. Those looking for just a taste can opt for Common Bond’s mini cakes ($5) or a king cake latte ($6). Multiple locations, commonbondcafe.com
Rao’s Bakery
Rao’s, born in Beaumont and famed for offering king cakes year-round and shipping them nationwide, offers a true taste of Mardi Gras tradition. The bakery’s cinnamon-laced beauties ($29) come drizzled with vibrant purple, green, and gold icing, and can be made with a choice of filling, like blueberry ($31) or raspberry cream cheese ($31). Mini King Cakes ($10) in cinnamon and strawberry are also available in-store and for nationwide shipping with the order of a full-size king cake. 6915 Cypresswood Blvd., Spring, raosbakery.com
Kolache Shoppe
Trust the Kolache Shoppe to give king cake a perfect Tex-Czech breakfast twist. The king cake kolache ($3) pairs the bakery’s yeasty dough with cinnamon cream cheese and pecans, before topping it with almond-vanilla glaze and classic Carnival colors. The specialty kolache is available at the Greenway Plaza location Thursday through Saturday, and at the Heights and Pearland outposts Friday through Sunday, through the month of February. Multiple locations, kolacheshoppe.com
Crescent City Connection
Crescent City Connection has mastered the standard king cake magic, and is branching out with creative variations, like Boston Creme ($45), featuring a combination of Bavarian cream and chocolate ganache; and a delicate Chantilly ($50), with fresh cream and berries. Order online for access to the full menu, or check out what’s baked fresh and available daily at Hap’s Cajun Meats & Market. 902 E. Main St., League City, crescentcityconnectiontexas.com
Dessert Gallery
Get ready to laissez les bon temps rouler with Dessert Gallery’s irresistible 8-inch king cakes. Whether you go for the classic cinnamon ($25) or the praline crunch ($27), each bite delivers pure Mardi Gras bliss. Cakes are available for purchase online and at both Dessert Gallery locations in Upper Kirby and the Woodlands. Multiple locations, dessertgallery.com
Memorial Bakery
Indulge in a Houston classic with Memorial Bakery’s Louisiana-style king cake, decorated with cream cheese icing, sanding sugar in Mardi Gras-themed hues, a plastic baby, and beads, making it the perfect centerpiece for a Mardi Gras fête. Cakes are available in two sizes, a 9-inch round ($18) and 12-inch oval ($26), and can be amped up with strawberry or raspberry filling for an additional charge. 9415 Katy Fwy., Houston, memorialbakery.com
Josephine’s
Gulf-inspired restaurant Josephine’s is serving up a refined take on a classic king cake. The restaurant’s pastry chef, Emily Rivas, builds hers with strawberry jam and cream cheese filling wrapped up in a fluffy, golden pastry. Each cake ($24) feeds four, and comes with a baby pre-hidden inside. Cakes can be ordered with 48 hours advance notice by phone or in person at the restaurant. 318 Gray St., josephinesgulfcoasttradition.com
Three Brothers Bakery
Three Brothers’ Louisiana-style king cakes are worth their weight in purple, green, and gold sugar. Go for classic cinnamon ($20), or level up with a cream cheese- or fruit-filled version ($30). Single slices are offered at the bakery, as are Mardi Gras-themed petit fours, royal icing cookies ($6), cupcakes ($25/half dozen), and a show-stopping 10-inch carnival cheesecake ($65). Multiple locations, 3brothersbakery.com
