CAMDEN, N.J. -- Although Twelfth Night is known for many traditions, one of the most beloved is surely its cakes. In an era when food presentation itself was a major form of entertainment, 18th-century hostesses made elegant cakes the centerpieces of their Twelfth Night displays. Left, seven sugar swans a-swimming top a faux English-style cake made by Sandy Levins. At right, a traditional French Twelfth Night Galette des Rois from Diane's la Patisserie in Haddonfield, N.J. The sugar-glazed puff pastry creation has a custard-like almond paste center. Also see larger photos: Swan cake | French cake.

	At left is a a traditional Hispanic Rosca de Reyes Twelfth Night cake shipped in from el Molino Bakery in Mexico (via Amazon.com's gourmet foods section). Twelfth Night cakes in all cultures usually had a lucky piece hidden inside them -- sometimes it was a coin, or a bean, or a tiny carved or cast figure of a king or the Baby Jesus. At right are two molded plastic figures from the Rosca de Reyes. Also see larger photos: Hispanic cake | Figurines.

	Traditional foods and drinks also played a major role in the Camden County Historical Society's Twelfth Night Revel. Above, left, is a section of the desserts table. On hand to greet history buffs and merrymakers were Society president Richard Pillatt and Linda Gentry, formerly executive director of the New Jersey League of Women Voters, who has been been hired as the new executive director of the Society. Her appointment will be officially announced next week. Also see larger photo.