Arkansas Bakeries Gear Up for Mardi Gras King Cake Demand

The traditional ring-shaped pastry is a centerpiece of the Carnival season celebrations.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As Mardi Gras approaches, bakeries in Arkansas are ramping up production of the iconic King Cake, a sweet pastry with a centuries-old history that is a staple of the Carnival season. Bakeries like Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville are preparing to sell around 1,500 King Cakes, which feature a small plastic baby hidden inside and are decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of green, yellow, and purple.

Why it matters

King Cake is a beloved tradition that connects modern Mardi Gras celebrations to ancient Roman festivals and Christian traditions. The hidden plastic baby inside represents luck and prosperity, and the person who finds it is crowned 'king' or 'queen' for the day, continuing the ritual. Bakeries see a major spike in sales around Mardi Gras, making it one of their busiest times of the year.

The details

At Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville, employees start preparing for King Cake season shortly after Christmas. The cakes are made from a sweet bread dough, filled with cream cheese and cinnamon, and topped with icing and Mardi Gras-colored sprinkles. Despite the name, King Cake is more of a pastry than a traditional birthday cake.

  • Preparations for King Cake season begin shortly after Christmas at Arkansas bakeries.
  • Most King Cake orders come in on the days leading up to Mardi Gras, which marks the final day of the Carnival season.

The players

Rick's Bakery

A bakery located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that sells around 1,500 King Cakes each year during the Mardi Gras season.

Shelby Clayborn

A sales associate at Rick's Bakery who provided details about the bakery's King Cake preparation and sales.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They put the baby in the cake, and then whoever gets that slice has to typically buy the cake next year.”

— Shelby Clayborn, Sales Associate, Rick's Bakery (5newsonline.com)

“It's a sweet bread ... We fill it with cream cheese and cinnamon, with our sweet cookie icing on top, and then we layer sprinkles of green, yellow, and purple.”

— Shelby Clayborn, Sales Associate, Rick's Bakery (5newsonline.com)

What’s next

With Mardi Gras falling on February 25, 2026, bakeries in Arkansas will continue taking orders and preparing King Cakes in the days leading up to the holiday.

The takeaway

The annual demand for King Cake in Arkansas reflects the deep cultural significance of Mardi Gras traditions, which have their roots in ancient festivals and Christian rituals. For bakeries, the Carnival season represents a major sales boost, underscoring how these time-honored customs remain an integral part of community celebrations.