20 Authentic Cajun Desserts

Thinking about Mardi Gras? It conjures up images of king cake, colorful beads, and the lively energy of Bourbon Street. Or maybe your mind drifts to the bold flavors of the Big Easy–spicy dishes, powdered beignets, hearty gumbo, and fresh seafood. Whatever comes to mind, one thing’s for sure: the food of Mardi Gras is as vibrant as the celebration itself!

1.King Cake Bites

Looking for a twist on the classic king cake? These king cake bites are the perfect solution! They’re packed with all the color and flavor you love, but in a fun, bite-sized form.

And the best part? They’re super easy to make. All you need are crescent rolls, cream cheese, powdered sugar, a hint of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Drizzle them with a quick glaze made from milk, powdered sugar, and colored sugar for a festive touch. These sweet treats are great as bite-sized breakfast pastries or a delicious dessert.

Enjoy them whenever you want–perfect for any time of day!

2.King Cake Milkshake

This Mardi Gras King Cake milkshake is the ultimate New Orleans treat.

Packed with Blue Bell’s King Cake ice cream, beignets, a mini-king cake, and topped with purple, green, and gold sparkles, it’s as festive as it gets.

It’s a decadent, over-the-top dessert that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds.

Perfect for special occasions or anytime you want to wow your friends, this milkshake is a sugar rush and a showstopper all in one.

It’s a fun, exciting dessert that’s sure to impress–and it’s even better when shared!

3.King Cake Oreo Truffles

These Oreo truffles are the perfect treat any time of the year–no need to wait for Mardi Gras! They’re incredibly easy to make.

Simply blend Oreos and cream cheese in a food processor, shape the mixture into balls, and freeze them. Next, dip them in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with colorful toppings.

After a quick 5-minute freeze, they’re ready to enjoy! These bite-sized treats are creamy, chocolatey, and irresistibly fun, making them a great dessert for any occasion.

4.New Orleans Pralines

When it comes to authentic Cajun desserts, pralines are a must-try. These sweet treats are perfectly crumbly and chewy, offering a delightful texture that’s sure to please.

With a rich brown sugar flavor and a generous helping of pecans, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of the deep caramel notes or the nutty crunch, this recipe delivers.

It’s a classic Southern dessert that’s as easy to love as it is to make.

5.Beignets

Beignets are a classic for a reason – they’re irresistible! These golden brown, deep-fried treats are light, fluffy, and generously coated in powdered sugar.

Hailing from Cajun cuisine, they’re a timeless dessert that’s easy to love.

Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or just want to bring a little joy to your day, beignets are the perfect pick.

6.Cajun Hash Cake

If you can mix and pour, you’re all set to make this incredible Cajun hash cake. Your oven does the heavy lifting, so it’s a breeze to prepare.

For the cake, grab some basic baking staples like flour, sugar, and eggs, along with walnuts and cocoa powder for added depth.

The topping uses similar ingredients, plus a bag of mini-marshmallows and a sprinkle of cocoa powder for extra flavor.

Mix everything together, slide it into the oven for about 30 minutes, then top it with marshmallows for another 2-3 minutes to get all gooey.

Finish it off with the topping, and you’ve got a simple, tasty dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

The combination of rich cocoa, crunchy walnuts, and fluffy marshmallows makes this a treat you’ll want to share–or not!

7.King Cake

King cake is a classic Cajun dessert that’s sure to delight just about everyone. This recipe serves up the perfect mix of a moist cake, sweet bread, and cinnamon roll all in one.

With its vibrant colors and irresistible flavor, it’s almost too pretty to slice into.

Whether you’re celebrating Mardi Gras or just want a special treat any time of the year, this king cake recipe is a must-try!

8.Cajun Cake

Meet Cajun cake, a dessert that’s as surprising as it is delicious. Topped with dry ingredients like pecans and flaked coconut, this cake defies expectations by being one of the moistest treats you’ll ever try.

The secret? Crushed pineapples in the mix. They add a fluffy texture and bursts of juicy flavor with every bite. The topping brings a sweet and crunchy contrast, making this cake a total showstopper.

It’s the perfect blend of flavors and textures that will keep you coming back for more.

9.Mardi Gras Jello

Looking for a dessert that brings the party? These Mardi Gras Jello shots are the perfect pick!

With a little kick from the alcohol (or without, for a kid-friendly twist), they’re as fun as they are delicious. Vibrant, jiggly, and totally festive, these Jello shots are ready to brighten up any celebration.

Plus, they look amazing on a platter–whether you’re keeping it family-friendly or adding a grown-up twist!

10.Pecan Praline Cookies

Imagine a cookie so divine, it feels like a candy in disguise.

These pecan praline cookies are the perfect blend of soft and chewy, made with rich brown sugar that melts in your mouth with every bite.

The magic happens when you top them with a caramel pecan praline. At first, it might seem a bit runny and gooey, but don’t worry–it firms up as it cools, creating the perfect texture.

The result? A cookie so sweet and irresistible, you’ll want to keep them all to yourself.

11.King Cake Earthquake Cake

Looking for a king cake that’s more cake than bread? This one’s made with yellow cake mix for a lighter, sweeter twist.

It’s packed with cream cheese, crunchy pecans, a hint of vanilla, and a touch of cinnamon for warmth.

A drizzle of powdered sugar and a pat of butter keep it rich, while milk and a pinch of salt balance it all out.

Top it off with those classic purple, yellow, and green sugars for the full king cake effect. Perfect for anyone who loves their king cake on the sweeter, cakier side.

Serve it up and enjoy the festive flavors!

12.Pumpkin Tarte à la Bouille

Meet the ultimate pumpkin dessert that takes the classic pie to new heights. This stunning treat is everything you adore about pumpkin pie, but with a smoother, silkier texture and a lighter, more refined flavor.

Whether you top it with a dollop of whipped cream or enjoy it as is, this dish is pure perfection.

It’s a must-try for anyone who loves pumpkin pie but wants a little extra something special.

13.King Cake Cheese Ball

Looking for a sweet twist on the classic cheese ball?

This colorful treat is made with cream cheese, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon, then rolled in vibrant purple, yellow, and green sprinkles for a festive touch.

Serve it with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or something similar for a sweet and satisfying snack. It’s the perfect dessert or appetizer for any gathering!

14.Mardi Gras Swirled Lemon Bark

Step into the spotlight with this Mardi Gras swirled lemon bark–it’s a masterpiece that could easily win top prize on a Food Network competition! The best part? It’s surprisingly simple to create.

All you need to do is melt, pour, and swirl. The result? A vibrant, tangy, citrusy treat that’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

It’s the kind of creation that would make even Van Gogh proud.

Perfect for Mardi Gras or any occasion that calls for a little extra flair, this bark is sure to dazzle your friends and family.

15.Praline Brownies

Imagine taking the classic sweetness of pralines and pairing them with rich, fudgy chocolate brownies. That’s exactly what this recipe does, and it’s pure perfection.

The brownies add an extra layer of decadence to the pralines, making them even sweeter and giving them a softer, more cake-like texture that’s irresistible.

It’s a match made in dessert heaven–chewy, nutty, and utterly divine.

16.Crawfish Cakes

Think crawfish cakes don’t belong in the dessert category? Think again! These clever treats are here to surprise your taste buds. No actual crawfish involved–just pure creativity.

Ladyfingers dressed in red cupcake icing make up the body, while Twizzlers serve as the legs and candy eyes add the perfect gaze.

These fun bites are perfect for crawfish boils, kids’ parties, or any time you want to serve up something delightfully different. Your guests will love the playful twist on dessert!

17.Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Step into the heart of Southern tradition with this simple sweet potato pie, a dessert that’s so much more than just a sweet treat.

Made with just a few ingredients–flour, sweet potatoes, eggs, sugar, and a blend of spices–this pie is a masterclass in comfort.

It’s velvety smooth, irresistibly sweet, and has a buttery richness that’ll make it disappear fast. Perfect for Thanksgiving, but honestly, there’s no wrong time to slice into this Southern classic.

18.Mardi Gras Snack Mix

This sweet and salty trail mix is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. With pretzels, Bugles, rice Chex, mixed nuts, and more, all smothered in melted white chocolate chips, it’s a treat you’ll crave.

🌰 It’s totally addictive and super crunchy–you won’t want to stop munching! Whether you’re on a hike, cozying up for movie night, or just need a quick snack, this mix is your new go-to.

19.Bananas Foster

Ready for a show-stopping dessert? This Bananas Foster recipe brings the classic New Orleans flair right to your kitchen. Made with rum and flamed to perfection, this dish is as dramatic as it is delicious.

If you prefer to skip the booze, you can substitute with rum extract and a splash of fruit juice–it won’t catch fire, but it’ll still taste amazing.

Either way, this indulgent treat comes together in just 15 minutes with a short list of ingredients. Serve it over a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate sweet and creamy combo.

20.Louisiana Stranger Cake

This bundt cake gets a tasty Louisiana twist! Instead of using a yellow cake mix, we’re going with butter pecan for that rich, nutty flavor.

Add in some toasted pecans for crunch and a can of caramel coconut pecan frosting for indulgence. Finish it off with a dusting of powdered sugar for the perfect balance of sweet and nutty.

Bake this for someone, and they’ll be your new best friend in no time!