You can only purchase original King Cakes in the United States, which celebrates Carnival ranging from Mobile, Alabama to East Texas, centered on New Orleans since it is associated with Mardi Gras season traditions. Any other time of the year, you can only purchase Queen Cakes.
The cakes have a small trinket (often a small plastic baby, sometimes said to represent Baby Jesus) inside, and the person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket has various privileges and obligations. What they are exactly? I'm not too sure, I haven't gotten the baby at work...yet! 
The "king cake" takes its name from the Biblical three kings. Catholic tradition states that their journey to Bethlehem took twelve days (the Twelve Days of Christmas), and that they arrived to honor the Christ child on Epiphany. The season for king cake extends from the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Twelfth Night and Epiphany Day), through to Mardi Gras day. Some organizations or groups of friends may have "king cake parties" every week through the Carnival season.
Yup, I feel like we have a King Cake party each day at work! From December 6th, the beginning of the Mardi Gras Festival Season here in New Orleans, we've had at least SIX king cakes so far PLUS TWO galette cakes and many pastries with even more king crowns. I'm quite enjoying this NOLA culture!!!
In southern U.S.A., the tradition was brought to the area by colonists from France and Spain. King cake parties in New Orleans are documented back to the eighteenth century. The king cake of the New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition comes in a number of styles. The most simple, said to be the most traditional, is a ring of twisted bread similar to that used in brioche, also similar to the American cinnamon roll, topped with icing or sugar, usually coloured purple, green, and gold (the traditional Carnival colors) with food colouring. 
Some varieties have filling inside, the most common being cream cheese followed by praline. Popular bakeries such as Gambino's, Haydel, and Randazzo, feature original recipes and types of king cakes. So, go out and try your luck at getting that baby!
Some varieties have filling inside, the most common being cream cheese followed by praline. Popular bakeries such as Gambino's, Haydel, and Randazzo, feature original recipes and types of king cakes. So, go out and try your luck at getting that baby!
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