A little background from Wikipedia..
“Let them eat cake” is the traditional translation of the French phrase “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche“,[1] said to have been spoken in the 17th or 18th century by “a great princess” upon being told that the peasants had no bread. The French phrase mentions brioche, a bread enriched with butter and eggs, considered a luxury food. The quote is taken to reflect either the princess’s frivolous disregard for the starving peasants or her poor understanding of their plight.