Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday.  The roots of the celebration have been woven together for centuries from Medieval Spring festivals and feasts that were based on the Christian calendar.  Fat Tuesday is celebrated around the world in its various forms, all of which harken back to the roots of spring festivals and religious fasting in preparation for the Holy Day of Easter.

Two of the favorite desserts that are indulged in on Fat Tuesday are the King Cake and Paczki.

KING CAKE:
Available only during the Mardi Gras season, typically, king cake is made of a rich, brioche dough and a wide array of fillings, such as cinnamon, chocolate, and cream cheese. But the rainbow magic is found in the glaze and sprinkles, which are usually gold, green, and purple. Even the colors of the icing (and royal colors of Mardi Gras) have a deeper meaning. Gold represents power, green is associated with faith, and purple illustrates justice. King cake is baked without a center, like your average Bundt cake, except buried inside the batter is a tiny, plastic baby figurine.  Whoever finds the baby in his or her slice must buy the next cake or perhaps host the next party.

PACZKI:

The Polish tradition of indulging in fried dough filled with jams, custards or other sweet surprises dates back to the middle ages.  A PUNCH-kee or POONCH-key or POOCH-key is traditionally a round Polish pastry filled with fruit and coated in sugar. Those who would be fasting during Lent needed to empty the pantry; this Polish pastry was an ideal way to use up what was in the larder. More modern versions fill the paczki with custard or cream and even cover the outside with a glaze and sprinkles.

Both these delicious treats can be purchased at local bakeries and grocery stores. See which bakeries you can find them at below.

Bakery Delight

200 S. River Street

Plains, PA  18705

570-823-3400

Lynn Sandy's Bakery

619 Pittston Avenue

Scranton, PA  18505

570-346-2440

Minooka Pastry Shop

3276 Birney Avenue

Scranton, PA  18505

570-342-1876

Sanitary Bakery

126 E. Ridge Street

Nanticoke, PA  18634

570-735-6630