France isn’t the only country to celebrate the holiday with a dedicated cake, and similar pastries abound in Portugal and Greece to ring in the New Year. In Spain, Roscón de Reyes — a donut-shaped sweet bread topped that is filled with cream and topped with candied fruit — is served to celebrate el día de los Reyes Magos, the three kings; Mardi Gras attendees in Louisiana will also clock a colorful iteration of the cake, which bears a closer resemblance to the Spanish version, but is topped with purple, green, and yellow sprinkles and icing. And, yes, there is usually a little baby fève tucked inside.
I live far away from the Loire Valley these days, but there are still plenty of ways to order king cakes on Goldbelly, in their many glorious forms, if you’re stateside.