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King cakes. They're unusual-looking creations, bedazzled in beads, candies and, strangely, a little baby Jesus. King cakes are drawn from the Catholic tradition, Mardi Gras, which is the culmination of the Carnival season.

By Marie Elizabeth Oliver So far this year, I've sampled at least 10 different king cakes, attended a king cake party and gulped down a large cup of “king cake coffee.” Now, that may seem to border on excessive, but I'd argue that in my native

King cake reigns on Fat Tuesday – and the days leading up to it – but there are other traditional indulgences to be had across the country today, as Ash Wednesday looms.

Royal sugar rush. [Photograph: María del Mar Sacasa] "Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday," as it is the day before Ash Wednesday and the Christian season of Lent. Lent commemorates and honors the 40 days Jesus