King Cake is the granddaddy of all Mardi Gras parties of course, and we’ve got a fantastic recipe below, but it’s not really Mardi Gras unless you’ve got many options on the sweets table. These New Orleans-inspired desserts all fit the bill deliciously.
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RecipeKing Cake
Similar to a glazed coffee cake, king cake is more of a sweet bread than a cake, laced with cinnamon, shaped like a braid or a crown (depending on the baker, and decorated with sugar tinted the three colors of Mardi Gras: gold for power, green for faith, and purple for justice. As a bonus, a tiny plastic baby is hidden in the cake; whoever gets the piece with the prize gets to host the next king cake party. -
RecipeButtermilk Beignets
Just as iconic as the King Cake are those beignets from Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter. Tender, crisp on the outside and rolling in powdered sugar, these will instantly transport you! -
RecipeBourbon Chocolate Cake
A melt-in-your mouth, mousse-like flourless chocolate cake with a healthy dose of bourbon is a surefire way to liven up the party. -
RecipeLemon-Herbsaint Poppers
Think of these as upscale Jell-O shots. They’re bright yellow and taste of citrus with the unmistakeable anisey twang of Herbsaint. Herbsaint is a New Orleans creation that debuted right after the repeal of Prohibition, crafted to take the place of outlawed absinthe and imported Pastis -
RecipeBananas Foster Cream Pie
Inspired by another legendary New Orleans dessert, bananas foster in pie form is much easier to make ahead and serve on a sweets table. -
RecipeCalas Fried Rice Fritters
Calas is a sweet little-known outside New Orleans but it's equally iconic to locals. Once you try these rice-pudding fritters, drizzled with cane syrup, you won't likely forget them. -
RecipeCreole Bread Pudding
This cinnamon-and-nutmeg-spiced bread pudding is a New Orleans Creole tradition, especially when drizzled with boozy Bourbon Crème Anglaise. -
RecipeBanana Pudding with Moonshine Whipped Cream
These down-home parfaits from famed New Orleans chef Donald Link pack an unexpected punch with the topping of moonshine-spiked whipped cream. -
RecipeChocolate Bourbon Balls
These deep, dark confections are a bit like truffles (though much quicker to make), with sophisticated, toasty flavors from nuts, coffee, and bourbon. -
RecipePecan Tassies
Buttery, nutty, and satisfying, these two-bite pecan tartlets are as easy to make as they are to like. -
RecipeCrêpe Cake with Coffee Cream and Hazelnut Praline
This cake is a great way to pay homage to the fact that Mardi Gras is also pancake Tuesday. Make it even more New Orleans by substituting pecans for the hazelnuts in the praline and instant chicory coffee for the espresso powder.
