After 75 Years, Brennan's Has Finally Entered the King Cake Market

For the first time in its storied 75-year history, Brennan's has entered the king cake game. And with three distinct flavors of the ring-shaped dessert on the menu, the New Orleans restaurant is going big.

Brennan's is now selling king cakes for pick-up, delivery, and nationwide shipping. The classic purple, green, and gold-frosted Mardi Gras confections are 10 to 12 inches in diameter, serve 15 to 20 people, and can be ordered until February 15.

Laissez les bons temps rouler, y'all!

In addition to a traditional king cake ($20 per cake) of brioche dough, cinnamon filling, and sprinkled with colored sugar, Brennan's is also baking up two unique takes on the traditional dessert.

The Strawberry Cream Cheese King Cake ($24 per cake), inspired by the iconic deep-pink façade of Brennan's, features local strawberry jam and fluffy cream cheese. Last but not least, Brennan's decadent Chocolate "Black and Gold" King Cake ($24 per cake) boasts a rich chocolate brioche dough, chocolate filling, and a layer of whipped chocolate ganache on the top. Both flavors are only available for pick-up and local delivery.

Patrick Brennan, a sous chef and bakery manager for his family's restaurant group, told The Advocate that he spent years pushing for a king cake program, but the rush of Carnival season always seemed to get in the way.

This year, however, as Covid-19 restrictions cut into regular dining business, the company found itself with extra staff, which they were able to switch to king cake production.

"We've pulled servers, cooks, dishwashers, everyone, they're getting hours they wouldn't have had," Brennan told the paper. "We're lucky that we had the facility and the equipment we needed ready to go so we could keep doing this."

We're lucky too!