What other items were sometimes bake into king cake?

King cake is traditionally made with a sweet dough, often flavored with cinnamon or citrus, and filled with a sweet cream cheese filling. While the traditional filling is cream cheese, there are many variations and other items can be baked into the cake.

Here are some examples:

Traditional Fillings:

* Cream cheese: The most common filling.

* Praline: Often found in New Orleans, this filling uses pecans, sugar, and sometimes butter.

* Fruit: Fruits like apples, blueberries, or strawberries can be used.

Other Items Baked Inside:

* Beans: In some regions, a dried bean is baked into the cake, instead of a plastic baby.

* Other small trinkets: Some bakers use small toys, charms, or coins instead of a baby.

* Chocolate chips: This adds a sweet, melty surprise.

* Nuts: Pecans, almonds, or walnuts can add a crunchy texture.

Important Note:

King cakes are often associated with the tradition of hiding a small plastic baby figurine inside. The person who finds the baby is typically crowned "King" or "Queen" for the day and is usually responsible for bringing the next cake.

No matter what is baked into the cake, it is a fun tradition enjoyed by many during the Mardi Gras season.