Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
It's Carnival season! No, we're not talking about state fairs. It's the festive, religious season that comes just before Lent—and most notably includes the celebration of Mardi Gras. Just like with any big holiday or celebration, there are tons of traditional Mardi Gras foods—including desserts! After all, it is the time to indulge in sweets before you give them up for Lent. That's why we've rounded up some of the best Mardi Gras desserts to make all season long. Whether you plan to host a Mardi Gras party or you just want to get in the spirit of carnival, you'll want to add these cookies, cakes made from scratch, and best pies to your baking list.
For some, it wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without king cake. With it's beautiful gold, purple, and green design, the king cake is a show-stopper at any Mardi Gras party. But there are other notable Mardi Gras treats worth trying too. Ahead you'll find, Southern comfort food favorites, like pecan pralines, banana cream pie, hummingbird cake, and so much more. If you want to take a trip to New Orleans without ever leaving your home, try our overnight beignets topped with lots of powdered sugar. Or give the chocolate bourbon caramel cups a try—they'll send you straight to Bourbon Street! Of course, we also included our very own recipe for king cake—and you won’t be disappointed. Just be sure to hide a whole almond (or plastic baby) inside the cake—it's a Mardi Gras tradition!
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
1
King Cake
If you're a fan of cinnamon rolls, you'll love this traditional Mardi Gras cake. It's a yeasted dough, rolled up with cinnamon and sugar, and drizzled with a sweet glaze! Use the purple, green, and gold colors for even more festive flair.
Get the King Cake recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
2
Pecan Pralines
This Southern candy is great for gifting to your friends. They're easy to make at home and can even be made up to a week in advance.
Get the Pecan Pralines recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
3
Overnight New Orleans Beignets
You don't need to take a trip to New Orleans to try these sweet pillows of fried dough. Make the dough the night before, then fry them up and serve hot!
Get the Overnight New Orleans Beignets recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Pecan Pie Bars
For a fun twist on classic pecan pie, this version is made into easy bars. They're great for packing up and taking to a potluck or serving as an after-school treat.
Get the Pecan Pie Bars recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
5
Banana Cream Pie
Not everyone is a fan of bananas (we're looking at you, Ree Drummond), but if you want to add this Southern pie to your Mardi Gras celebration we highly suggest a hefty dollop of whipped cream on top!
Get the Banana Cream Pie recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
6
Hummingbird Cake
A slice of this tender, two-layer cake feels like a warm hug! Between the cinnamon, pecans, and cream cheese frosting, it's the ultimate comfort food dessert.
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Cups
For a boozy treat that'll send you straight to Bourbon Street, try these liquor-infused chocolate caramels. It'll be hard to eat just one!
Get the Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Cups recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
8
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Dark chocolate chips give this classic pie a fudgy filling that's out-of-this-world good. If you like the balance of salty and sweet, try topping the pie with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
Get the Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
9
Mini Turtle Cheesecakes
These bite-sized treats will look so cute on your dessert table spread. Plus, each one is like having your own individual caramel-pecan cheesecake.
Get Ree's Mini Turtle Cheesecakes recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Candied Pecans
Keep a handful of these sweet nuts with you no matter where your Mardi Gras party takes you. They're perfect for snacking!
Get the Candied Pecans recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
11
Bananas Foster
Looking for a night cap with Southern flavor? This bananas foster will do the trick! It's best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
12
Super Easy Mardi Gras Cookies
What makes these cookies super easy? They're made with boxed cake mix! They taste just like king cake and they look like it too.
Get the Super Easy Mardi Gras Cookies recipe at Practically Homemade.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Paczki (Polish Doughnuts)
These traditional Polish doughnuts are a popular Fat Tuesday treat. You can fill them with any flavor jam or custard you like best.
Get the Paczki recipe at Jo Cooks.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
14
Challah Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Bread pudding is so simple to make. It's just day-old stale bread cubes and a custard base. This version adds bourbon-soaked raisins and a bourbon sauce to make it extra-delicious.
Get the Challah Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce recipe at Butter Be Ready.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
15
King Cake Doughnut Holes
This treat combines two Mardi Gras favorites: king cake and doughnuts! The vanilla bean icing and colorful sprinkles are just the icing on the "cake!"
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
User Impression:
Based on the user's request, it seems that they are interested in learning about Mardi Gras desserts. They are likely looking for information and recipes related to traditional desserts associated with Mardi Gras. The user's writing style suggests that they are fluent in English and have a good understanding of the topic.
Mardi Gras Desserts:
Mardi Gras is a festive and religious season that occurs just before Lent. It is known for its vibrant celebrations and indulgence in food and sweets. Traditional Mardi Gras desserts are an important part of the festivities. Here are some popular Mardi Gras desserts:
-
King Cake: King Cake is a traditional Mardi Gras dessert that is often associated with New Orleans. It is a yeasted cake with a cinnamon and sugar filling, topped with a sweet glaze. The cake is typically decorated with purple, green, and gold colors, representing justice, faith, and power, respectively.
-
Pecan Pralines: Pecan pralines are a Southern candy that is commonly enjoyed during Mardi Gras. They are made with pecans, sugar, butter, and cream, resulting in a sweet and nutty treat. Pecan pralines can be made in advance and are great for gifting.
-
Beignets: Beignets are a popular New Orleans dessert that is often enjoyed during Mardi Gras. These deep-fried pastries are made from a simple dough that is fried until golden and then dusted with powdered sugar. Overnight beignets are a variation that allows you to prepare the dough the night before, making them perfect for a Mardi Gras breakfast.
-
Banana Cream Pie: Banana cream pie is a classic Southern dessert that can be a delicious addition to your Mardi Gras celebration. It consists of a flaky pie crust filled with a creamy banana custard and topped with whipped cream. It's a comforting and indulgent dessert.
-
Hummingbird Cake: Hummingbird cake is a moist and flavorful cake that is popular in the South. It is made with bananas, pineapple, pecans, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The cake is typically frosted with cream cheese frosting, making it a rich and delicious dessert .
-
Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Cups: For a boozy treat inspired by the flavors of Bourbon Street, try chocolate bourbon caramel cups. These bite-sized treats are infused with bourbon and filled with a gooey caramel center. They are perfect for indulging during Mardi Gras.
These are just a few examples of the many delicious Mardi Gras desserts you can enjoy during the festive season. Each dessert has its own unique flavors and characteristics that make them special. Whether you're hosting a Mardi Gras party or simply want to indulge in some sweet treats, these desserts are sure to add a touch of celebration to your baking list.
I hope you enjoy trying out these Mardi Gras desserts and have a wonderful celebration!
Note: The recipes mentioned in this response are not provided in the search results. For detailed recipes, I recommend referring to reputable cooking websites or cookbooks that specialize in Mardi Gras desserts.
