Which iconic confectionary is Fat Tuesday’s tastiest treat?
According to Cooks Illustrated, “there are three key Mardi Gras foods: Fried chicken, king cake, and more king cake.” We have to admit that we haven’t eaten the traditional cinnamon pastry in New Orleans, but we have it on good authority (actually from the Cook’s Illustrated Mail-Order King Cake Test), that Joe Gambino’s Bakery is the winner to try at home. That was validation enough for Sadie’s Nest, so we ordered one straight from the epicenter of Mardi Gras to sample for ourselves. (For the history of King Cake click here.)
In Detroit, we have one way of celebrating Fat Tuesday, with paczki (pronounced pownch-kee or poonch-kee depending on who you ask). At first glance you might compare it to a jelly filled donut. (You’re probably too healthy to know the difference.) But we paczki eaters know what’s up (our cholesterol). According to experts, these Polish pastries are not as crumbly as a typical donut, and don’t dry out as quickly. The New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck arguably bakes the best. (For more information on Pazcki click here.)
The Pros… (We can’t find any cons)
Something about “Fat Tuesday” goes so nicely with convenience. At first thought, it might seem accommodating to have a paczki palace just a short car ride away. And that’s true. But, it doesn’t get any more convenient than someone delivering cake right to my front door…
The King Cake is fun to look at with its oval (crown) shape dusted with all of that sparkly gold, green, and purple sugar. It embodied Mardi Gras! The texture is unique, simultaneously light and dense, a real pastry/cake hybrid. Slicing pieces to pass out felt like a party. The cinnamon was pleasantly fragrant, but not overpowering, and the cake was great with a cup of coffee.
Paczki are huge, almost softball-sized rounds. (This ain’t Thin Thursday). They come filled in a variety of flavors; raspberry, apple, cherry, chocolate, cream, caramel cream, cookies ‘n cream, and so on… The flavor party is going strong on the inside. Everyone gets their own and can pick their favorite filling while still partaking in that soft, dense, certain exterior.
Truth be told, we’d be happy with either pastry on any given day… but this was a challenge needing a champion. So which sweet treat wins the Heavy Weight title for Fat Tuesday indulgence?
The Winner?
We tried to remain unbiased here in the nest, but the tastiest winner was clear. Those goodness-filled pastry rounds are just so delicious… In New Orleans, cake might be king, but in the upper midwest paczki is queen; and the queen reigns supreme!
Happy Paczki Day Everyone!