The Haydel's Bakery strawberry king cake was a journey of multiple flavors throughout each layer. I've had many king cakes growing up taking French class, but this was my first New Orleans-style king cake since moving from Atlanta and several locals and colleagues recommended Haydel's.

The king cakes are made with a three-strand braided dough that is filled with a cinnamon sugar and honey glaze that's whipped with butter.

Thirty years ago, Shane Gorringe said it would be a “cold day in hell” before his bakery would produce a king cake. “So ugly,” Gorringe said with a laugh one recent morning. Nonetheless, his Zoe’s Bakery has produced thousands of cakes over the decades, developing a loyal following along the way.

The fresh king cakes were supposed to arrive in D.C. earlier this week, but Haydel had to cancel orders as their bakery was snowed in and the airport was closed for several days.

King cake made out of snow