King cake is rooted in religious tradition—it’s a Catholic custom that’s believed to have been adapted from an ancient Roman one—but in New Orleans it’s also a “huge economic boon,” Bronwen Wyatt, a baker and a recipe developer,

Balboni's cannoli king cake has fired up a lot of buzz this Carnival season in New Orleans. Beyond its elaborate back story, here's what the extravagant cake is like.

Whether you call it Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, it is a time of filling up on foods and desserts before the 40 day Christian fast of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday. To help you celebrate Fat Tuesday,