For bakeries in New Orleans, the first few months of the year are among the busiest. As the rest of the country stares down the barrel of January, sobered by New Year’s resolutions, the city is just easing into Carnival,

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.

There are bakeries in New Orleans that will ship king cakes, many that can arrive overnight. A list can be found on the New Orleans tourism website. Many local grocery stores sell them pre-packaged. And some local bakeries will custom make a king cake.