Photos: King of Cakes

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The smell of cinnamon permeates Haydel"s Bakery as king cake season gets under way in the New Orleans area. Bakers roll and twist dough for the cakes that are special to the celebration of Carnival. (Photos by Paula Burch-Celentano)

Sugars in the colors of Carnival — purple, green and gold — decorate cakes that are enjoyed by New Orleanians and mailed internationally by area bakeries.

Freshly made Haydel"s king cakes are bagged and ready for shipping.

Each cake has a plastic doll inside, and according to local tradition, the person who finds the doll in a slice of cake has to bring the next king cake.