It’s almost Mardi Gras! A time for celebrations & eating yummy, traditional treats–like king cakes and paczkis! Two of my family’s favorite treats and new traditions! Just in case you aren’t familiar with either–we’re going to focus on both today since there’s still time to indulge if you wish! I had never heard of a paczki (pronounced like “poonch key”) until we moved to Toledo–but they’re a mouth-watering pastry stuffed with fruit or cream fillings much like a doughnut. These pastries are not affiliated with Mardi Gras celebrations but are a Polish tradition of using up sugars and fats before Lent begins and are offered for a limited time prior to Fat Tuesday. Knowing we can get them only once a year makes them a much anticipated treat! So if you live in the Midwest, popular with Polish communities, get to your local bakery asap–you might be able to get in on the tasty fun before these treats are gone ’till next year!
powdered indulgence!
paczkis!
since they’re a once-a-year-treat it’s fun to dress them up for the occasion…
simple paper straws & card stock make cute indicator flags!
since everyone has a favorite–labeling is a must!
add some fruit & flowers…
and you’ve got a wonderful morning surprise for your family!
now that you’ve had a sweet morning…
you may as well finish with more sugar…besides, if you practice Lent, you may not see the sweet stuff for a while!
the king cake
each mardi gras we like to make a king cake–a round ring of cinnamon goodness with a plastic baby hidden inside…traditionally the finder of the baby is to host the next king cake celebration but in our family it means good luck! it’s a lot of fun for kids of all ages…but i must confess that when my boys were really little i would hide more than one baby so that no one came up empty handed! now everyone’s a good sport and it’s a tradition that everyone looks forward to…seeing who will receive the token and, of course, eating the gooey deliciousness!
easy supplies…colored sugars & plastic babies–found at party or baking stores
find a recipe on line…there’s plenty of them…and create a mardi gras celebration!
add traditional beads…
and you’ve got some holiday fun for all!
the king cake is truly a treat but i won’t lie–it’s not something you can whip up in an hour–there’s rising & kneading & filling & decorating…but if you like to bake or want to get the kids involved it’s a load of fun & worth the effort! however, there is a great alternative…
individual, mini king cakes…otherwise known as a decorated doughnut!
a trip to the store, icing & sugar–and you’ve got mini king cakes!…and yes, the baby still fits inside!
indulge in some Fat Tuesday fun…
let the good times roll!