The best spots to buy (good) Mardis Gras king cakes in Fort Worth
Don’t you just love indulging in cakey sweetness, hoping not to chomp down on a plastic baby?
That’s always a fun risk when enjoying the New Orleans tradition of Mardis Gras king cakes.
Mardi Gras happens every year on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. The holiday is traditionally celebrated in the church to mark the last day of eating fats (Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday), before fasting during Lent.
In New Orleans, the Mardi Gras festivities lasts 10 days leading up to Fat Tuesday with parades of green, purple and gold, Mardis Gras beads and, of course, king cakes.
The braided King Cake bread is hugged by cinnamon and generously dressed with silky and smooth frosting. Every cake has its own plastic baby either hidden in the cake or on the side for you to stick it in yourself (if you’re not afraid of someone choking). If you find the baby, it’s your responsibility to buy the next cake to share.
New Orleans may be 500 miles away from Fort Worth, but you can still find some delicious king cakes in Cowtown.
What is the Mardi Gras king cake tradition?
The history of king cakes began in Roman times when kings would signify the end of winter with a crown shaped cake. What we know as tiny plastic babies today, used to be beans or nuts, which signified good luck. The tradition was introduced later in New Orleans where it has not just lived on, but thrived.
Whoever receives the slice with the plastic baby inside has the duty to either buy a new king cake or host a party for the next year.
While you can’t always go to New Orleans for a fresh King Cake, there are plenty of local Fort Worth bakeries to support.
Where to get your king cake in Fort Worth
Jumping into Texas’ tried and true, H-E-B and its Central Market stores both have king cakes. H-E-B bakery is selling the delicacy at $9.99, while Central Market cakes are $12.99.
Here are other local bakeries. Are we missing any other good ones? Let us know: egonzales@star-telegram.com.
- 3301 E. Belknap St., Fort Worth.
- By the slice or whole donuts.
- Call for pricing, 817-831-6066.
- 2505 E. Arkansas Lane, Arlington
- Orders shipments from various New Orleans bakeries, including James Beard Award-winning Dong Phuong and Randazzo.
- $15-$62
- 4705 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
- $12.99 to $32.99, depending on size.
- Call 817-731-4233 to pre-order now.
- Available until Feb. 17.
- Contact by filling out a form on its website for pickup or delivery.
- Pricing available when contacted.
- 5209 Rufe Snow Drive, North Richland Hills.
- $50 to $60 for whole cakes.
- Snickerdoodle, whiskey glaze, strawberry and cream, cinnamon cream cheese.
- Order online on its website.
- 411 S. Main St., Fort Worth
- They have beignet king cakes, and king cake beignets
- A 10-inch cake is $20
- 817-841-9255
- 3936 W. Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth.
- Will start selling closer to Mardi Gras.
- Cakes are $17.
- Call to place an order for pickup, 817-732-5661.
- 360 Parker Square, Flower Mound.
- Available until Feb. 17.
- Cakes are $37.
- Call to reserve, 972-316-7625, or show up early to purchase before they sell out.
- 7048 Granbury Road, Fort Worth.
- This New Orleans coffee chain gets Caluda’s cake and sells it by slice (or by the whole cake if your early/lucky enough).
- Plain and cream cheese.
- Slices start at $3.75. Whole cakes at $36.99.
- Order online for pickup or walk in.
This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 1:55 PM.