25 Best Mardi Gras Dessert Recipes

Mardi Gras dessert recipes are all about color, fun, and over-the-top sweetness, and these ideas bring all the purple, green, and gold to your table.

Keep plenty of piping bags, purple-green-gold sprinkles, and a festive cake stand nearby to decorate and serve in true carnival style.

1. Classic King Cake Ring

This buttery cinnamon ring is the ultimate centerpiece, complete with colorful icing and a hidden “baby” trinket. Slice it warm and let guests hunt for the lucky piece.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups bread flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup cinnamon sugar
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and sugar. Stir in 1 cup warm milk, 1 egg, and the softened butter until a soft dough forms.
2. Knead on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth, then place in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise 1 hour.
3. Roll the dough into a 10x18-inch rectangle with a rolling pin, spread with 2 tablespoons melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll into a log, pinch the seam, and form a ring on a baking sheet.
4. Cover and rise 30 minutes, then bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes until golden. Cool 15 minutes, insert a tiny heat-safe trinket from the bottom, and place on a cake stand.
5. Whisk powdered sugar with 3–4 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla for icing, drizzle over the warm cake, and immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar stripes.

2. Mardi Gras Beignet Bites

Turn classic beignets into easy bite-size squares dusted in colorful sugar. They’re perfect for dipping in chocolate sauce during your parade watch.

Ingredients

• 1 box beignet mix
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugars
• Small mesh sieve

Directions

1. Prepare the beignet mix according to package directions, then roll the dough into a ¼-inch-thick rectangle on a lightly floured pastry mat.
2. Use a pizza cutter to slice 1-inch squares. Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 360°F, monitoring with a fry thermometer.
3. Fry 6–8 squares at a time for 1–2 minutes per side until puffed and golden, turning with a slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels.
4. In a shallow bowl, mix powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons sanding sugar in each color.
5. While warm, dust the beignet bites using the mesh sieve and sprinkle extra purple, green, and gold sugar on top so every bite sparkles.

3. King Cake Bread Pudding Bars

These gooey bread pudding bars taste like king cake but bake in a simple casserole dish. They’re great for potlucks and slice up beautifully into handheld squares.

Ingredients

• 6 cups cubed French bread
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 9x13-inch baking dish

Directions

1. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch dish. Spread the cubed bread evenly in the pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk cream, eggs, brown sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth.
3. Pour the custard over the bread and gently press with a silicone spatula so every cube absorbs the mixture. Dot the top with small bits of cream cheese.
4. Let soak 20 minutes, then bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes until the center is just set.
5. Cool, drizzle with a quick glaze made from 1½ cups powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons milk, then add bands of purple, green, and gold sugar before cutting into bars.

4. Mardi Gras Confetti Sugar Cookies

Soft sugar cookies get a carnival makeover with tri-color sanding sugar. Kids love helping press the tops into sparkling sprinkles.

Ingredients

• 1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar
• Parchment paper
• Cookie sheets

Directions

1. Line cookie sheets with parchment. Slice cookie dough into ¼-inch rounds and place 2 inches apart.
2. Pour each color of sanding sugar into separate shallow bowls. Dip the top of each dough round into the sugars in overlapping patches to mimic a parade mask pattern.
3. Return cookies to the prepared sheets and slightly flatten with your palm or the bottom of a measuring cup.
4. Bake according to package directions, usually 9–11 minutes at 350°F, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
5. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish setting.

5. Masquerade Mask Brownies

Rich brownies get topped with mask-shaped icing and plenty of shiny sprinkles. They look fancy but start with an easy boxed mix.

Ingredients

• 1 family-size brownie mix
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Piping bags and small round tip
• Mask-shaped cookie cutter
• Gold and jewel-tone sprinkles

Directions

1. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package in a parchment-lined 9x13-inch pan. Bake and cool completely.
2. Lift the cooled slab onto a cutting board. Use the mask cutter to stamp out as many shapes as possible.
3. Whisk powdered sugar with 3–4 tablespoons milk and cocoa powder to make a thick chocolate icing. Transfer to a piping bag.
4. Outline each brownie mask and fill in with icing, using a toothpick to nudge icing into corners.
5. Before the icing sets, shower with purple, green, and gold sprinkles and let firm up on a rack.

6. Mardi Gras Pretzel Rod Wands

Sweet-and-salty pretzel rods become edible party wands when coated in purple, green, and gold candy melts. They look great in a tall glass on the dessert table.

Ingredients

• 12 pretzel rods
• ½ cup purple candy melts
• ½ cup green candy melts
• ½ cup yellow candy melts
• Parchment paper

Directions

1. Line a sheet pan with parchment.
2. Place each color of candy melts in separate microwave-safe bowls and melt in 20-second bursts, stirring with a heat-safe spatula until smooth.
3. Dip each pretzel rod two-thirds of the way into one color, letting excess drip off, then place on the parchment.
4. Drizzle remaining colors over the coated pretzels using a small squeeze bottle or spoon for a striped look.
5. Let set at room temperature 30 minutes or chill for 10 minutes before arranging upright in a jar.

7. Mini King Cake Donut Bites

Canned biscuit dough and a mini donut pan make quick, bite-size cakes iced in classic Mardi Gras colors. They’re ideal when you want that king cake flavor without the fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 tube refrigerated biscuit dough
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• Mini donut pan

Directions

1. Spray a mini donut pan with nonstick spray. Cut each biscuit into thirds and roll each piece into a small rope, then connect the ends to form tiny rings in each well.
2. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon sugar.
3. Bake at 375°F for 9–11 minutes until lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
4. Whisk powdered sugar with 2–3 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla to create a thick glaze.
5. Dip tops of donuts into glaze and immediately sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar while the glaze is wet.

8. Mardi Gras Brownie Batter Dip

This creamy chocolate dip tastes like brownie batter but is safe to eat and decorated with bright sprinkles. Serve it with fruit and cookies for easy snacking.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• Mardi Gras sprinkles

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar, cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt; beat until smooth and thick. If needed, splash in 1–2 tablespoons milk to reach dip consistency.
3. Transfer to a serving bowl and swirl the top with the back of a spoon.
4. Scatter with purple, green, and gold sprinkles and chill at least 30 minutes.
5. Serve with sliced fruit, graham crackers, or vanilla wafers arranged on a festive serving platter.

9. Purple-Green-Gold Layered Trifle

Individual trifles layer tinted cake cubes with pudding and whipped topping. Clear cups show off all the Mardi Gras stripes.

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• Purple, green, and yellow gel coloring
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding
• 8 oz whipped topping
• Clear dessert cups

Directions

1. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, dividing the batter into three bowls. Tint each bowl purple, green, or yellow with gel coloring.
2. Spoon the batters randomly into a greased 9x13-inch pan and swirl lightly with a knife for a marbled look. Bake and cool completely, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
3. Whisk the pudding mix with cold milk as directed and chill until set.
4. Layer cake cubes, pudding, and whipped topping into clear cups, repeating until full and ending with whipped topping.
5. Sprinkle with colored sugar and chill at least 1 hour before serving.

10. King Cake Cheesecake Squares

These creamy cheesecake bars sit on a cinnamon-graham crust and wear a Mardi Gras icing drizzle. Cut them small so everyone can sample.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1½ cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang. Mix graham crumbs with melted butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon, then press firmly into the pan using the bottom of a flat measuring cup.
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then mix in eggs one at a time and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
3. Pour over the crust and smooth with a small offset spatula.
4. Bake at 325°F for 30–35 minutes until the center is barely jiggly. Cool completely, then chill 4 hours.
5. Whisk powdered sugar with milk for a thick glaze, tint portions purple, green, and yellow, and drizzle stripes over the chilled cheesecake before cutting into squares.

11. Mardi Gras Rice Krispie Treat Pops

Put cereal treats on sticks and coat them in colorful drizzle for a grab-and-go dessert. They’re perfect for little hands during parade time.

Ingredients

• 6 cups crisped rice cereal
• 10 oz mini marshmallows
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Candy melts in Mardi Gras colors
• Lollipop sticks

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large pot, stir in marshmallows, and cook over low heat until smooth.
2. Fold in the cereal with a sturdy wooden spoon, then press into a greased 9x13-inch pan.
3. Once firm, cut into rectangles and insert sticks into one end of each.
4. Melt each color of candy melts separately and drizzle over the pops, or dip one edge for a dipped look.
5. Place on parchment to set, then arrange in a jar filled with beads for serving.

12. Banana Foster Parfait Cups

Inspired by New Orleans bananas foster, these parfaits layer caramelized bananas with cookies and whipped cream. No flame required, just a quick skillet caramel.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, sliced
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 8 oz whipped topping
• Small clear cups

Directions

1. Melt butter in a nonstick skillet, add brown sugar, and cook 1–2 minutes until bubbly.
2. Stir in sliced bananas and cook 2–3 minutes until softened and coated; remove from heat and cool slightly.
3. Spoon a tablespoon of crushed wafers into the base of each cup.
4. Layer warm bananas, more crumbs, and whipped topping, repeating until the cups are nearly full.
5. Chill 1 hour, then dust with a pinch of cinnamon before serving.

13. Mardi Gras Cheesecake Dip

A fluffy vanilla dip tinted in three colors swirls together for a party-ready bowl. Serve it with fruit skewers and cookies on the side.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 8 oz whipped topping
• Purple, green, yellow food gel
• Serving bowl

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
2. Fold in whipped topping using a spatula until fluffy.
3. Divide into three bowls and tint each one purple, green, or yellow.
4. Drop spoonfuls of each color into the serving bowl, then drag a butter knife through once or twice to swirl slightly without fully blending.
5. Chill 1 hour and serve with cookies and fruit arranged on a round tray.

14. Praline Pecan Blondies

Soft blondies are topped with a caramel-pecan layer that tastes just like pralines. Cut them into small squares and sprinkle with colored sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions

1. Stir melted butter, brown sugar, and 1 egg together in a bowl, then fold in flour and a pinch of salt.
2. Spread into a parchment-lined 8x8-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine pecans, condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat 3–4 minutes until thick.
4. Spread the praline mixture over the warm blondie base and return to the oven for 5 minutes.
5. Cool completely, sprinkle with colored sugar, then cut into bite-size pieces with a bench scraper.

15. Mardi Gras Parfait Shooters

Layered pudding cups look like mini parade floats in shot glasses. They’re easy to prep ahead and perfect for parties.

Ingredients

• 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
• 4 cups cold milk
• Purple, green, yellow food gel
• Plastic shot glasses

Directions

1. Whisk both boxes of pudding with milk in a large bowl for 2 minutes.
2. Divide evenly into three bowls and tint each purple, green, or yellow.
3. Spoon or pipe the purple layer into the bottom of each shot glass, then add green, then yellow.
4. Smooth the tops with a small spoon and chill at least 1 hour.
5. Top with a tiny dollop of whipped cream and gold sprinkles right before serving.

16. King Cake Monkey Bread

Pull-apart monkey bread gets rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked in a bundt pan. A colorful glaze turns it into an eye-catching centerpiece.

Ingredients

• 2 tubes refrigerated biscuit dough
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• Bundt pan

Directions

1. Grease a bundt pan. Cut each biscuit into quarters.
2. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a zip-top bag. Add dough pieces and shake until coated.
3. Layer coated dough into the pan and drizzle melted butter over the top.
4. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a platter.
5. Mix powdered sugar with milk to form a glaze and drizzle over the monkey bread, finishing with purple, green, and gold sprinkles.

17. Mardi Gras Popcorn Mix

Sweet popcorn is tossed with candy melts and sprinkles, then broken into clusters. Serve it in paper cones or small cups for snacking.

Ingredients

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup white candy melts
• Mardi Gras sprinkles
• Sheet pan with parchment

Directions

1. Spread popcorn evenly over the parchment-lined pan, picking out any unpopped kernels.
2. Melt white candy melts in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds with a heat-safe spatula.
3. Drizzle the melted coating over the popcorn, tossing gently with clean hands or a spatula to coat.
4. Immediately shower with sprinkles so they stick to the warm coating.
5. Let set, then break into clusters and serve in festive bowls.

18. King Cake Cinnamon Roll Skillet

Cinnamon rolls bake together in a skillet and are finished with tri-color icing. This dessert is especially fun served warm with ice cream.

Ingredients

• 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• 10-inch cast iron skillet
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Purple, green, yellow food colors

Directions

1. Grease the skillet lightly. Arrange cinnamon rolls in a circle with one in the center.
2. Bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes until puffed and golden.
3. Whisk powdered sugar with 2–3 tablespoons milk and divide into three bowls; tint each with Mardi Gras colors.
4. Drizzle each color over sections of the warm rolls to create stripes.
5. Serve right from the skillet with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you like.

19. Mardi Gras Parline Popcorn Balls

Caramel-coated popcorn balls are rolled with pecans and decorated with sparkling sugar. Wrap them in clear bags for a take-home treat.

Ingredients

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Place popcorn and pecans in a large bowl.
2. In a saucepan, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, and butter; bring to a boil and cook 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Pour the hot syrup over the popcorn mixture, tossing carefully with a heat-resistant spoon until coated.
4. Let cool just enough to handle, coat your hands with cooking spray, and form tight balls about the size of a tennis ball.
5. Roll each ball in purple, green, and gold sanding sugar and let set on parchment.

20. Mardi Gras Layered Jello Cups

These bright gelatin cups feature purple grape, green lime, and yellow lemon layers. They’re a nostalgic dessert that looks great on a buffet.

Ingredients

• 1 box grape gelatin
• 1 box lime gelatin
• 1 box lemon gelatin
• Clear cups

Directions

1. Prepare grape gelatin according to the package using a heat-safe bowl. Pour a thin purple layer into each cup and chill until firm.
2. Repeat with lime gelatin for the green layer once the first one is set.
3. Finish with lemon gelatin on top for the yellow layer and chill until completely firm.
4. Right before serving, top each cup with whipped cream and colored sugar.
5. Serve on a tray lined with beads for extra flair.

21. Mini King Cake Cupcakes

These cinnamon-scented cupcakes are topped with cream cheese frosting and sparkling sugar. Tuck one tiny plastic baby into a random cupcake for fun.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• Mini muffin pan and liners

Directions

1. Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions, adding the cinnamon to the dry mix.
2. Fill mini liners two-thirds full and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
3. Beat cream cheese with 4 tablespoons butter and powdered sugar until thick and smooth.
4. Pipe swirls of frosting on each cupcake using a star tip.
5. Sprinkle with purple, green, and gold sugar and hide a tiny trinket in one cupcake if desired.

22. Mardi Gras King Cake Dip

This sweet dip mimics the cinnamon and cream cheese flavors of king cake. Pair it with fruit and cookies for an easy no-bake option.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
• 8 oz whipped topping
• Shallow serving dish

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese until smooth, then mix in powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar.
2. Fold in whipped topping until fully combined and fluffy.
3. Spread into a serving dish and smooth the top.
4. Sprinkle bands of purple, green, and gold sugar across the surface.
5. Serve chilled with cinnamon cookies, graham crackers, and sliced apples.

23. Mardi Gras Sugar Cookie Bars

Instead of scooping individual cookies, press the dough into a pan and frost the whole slab. Cut into squares for easy serving.

Ingredients

• 1 pouch sugar cookie mix
• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 egg
• 1 can vanilla frosting
• 9x13 baking pan

Directions

1. Mix sugar cookie mix with butter and egg according to the package.
2. Press evenly into a greased 9x13 pan using a piece of parchment and your hands.
3. Bake at 350°F for 15–18 minutes until just golden. Cool completely.
4. Spread frosting over the cooled bars with an offset spatula.
5. Cover in Mardi Gras sprinkles and cut into squares.

24. Mini King Cake Bites on a Stick

Canned cinnamon rolls are cut, baked, and threaded onto skewers with icing drizzled over. They’re a playful way to enjoy bite-size sweets.

Ingredients

• 1 tube refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• Short wooden skewers
• Colored sugar

Directions

1. Unroll each cinnamon roll log and slice into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife.
2. Place pieces on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.
3. Cool slightly, then thread 3–4 pieces onto each skewer.
4. Warm the included icing packet and drizzle over the skewers.
5. Finish with a shower of purple, green, and gold sugar and arrange on a platter.

25. King Cake Bread Pudding Trifle

Cube leftover king cake or sweet bread and layer it with custard and whipped cream in a trifle bowl. It’s a beautiful way to use up extra slices from the party.

Ingredients

• 5 cups cubed king cake or sweet bread
• 2 boxes vanilla pudding
• 4 cups cold milk
• 16 oz whipped topping
• Glass trifle bowl

Directions

1. Prepare pudding mixes with milk in a large bowl and chill until thick.
2. Place a layer of cake cubes in the bottom of the trifle dish.
3. Top with a layer of pudding and a layer of whipped topping.
4. Repeat layers until the bowl is full, ending with whipped topping swirled decoratively.
5. Sprinkle stripes of purple, green, and gold sanding sugar on top and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

FAQ

Can I make these Mardi Gras dessert recipes ahead of time?

Many of these dessert recipes are perfect for making a day in advance, especially bars, trifles, and decorated cookies.

Store baked items in airtight storage containers and keep dips chilled in the refrigerator until party time.

What colors do I need for authentic Mardi Gras treats?

The traditional colors are purple, green, and gold, so stock up on sanding sugars and sprinkles in those shades.

A small set of gel food colors makes it easy to tint icing, cake batter, and pudding to match.

How can I serve these desserts for a big crowd?

For large gatherings, lean on desserts that slice and portion easily, like cookie bars, brownie bites, and trifles.

Arrange everything on a few large tiered serving stands so guests can help themselves.

What’s the easiest dessert here for kids to help with?

Little helpers will love rolling beignet bites, decorating sugar cookies, and dipping pretzel rods in festive colors.

Keep kid-friendly tools like silicone spatulas and lightweight bowls on hand so they can safely join the fun.

Do I need any special baking pans for these recipes?

You can make most of these dessert recipes with standard kitchen tools like a 9x13 pan, an 8x8 pan, and a muffin tin.

If you’d like to go all out, a bundt pan, mini donut pan, and clear trifle bowl will help you recreate the showier treats.

Mardi Gras Desserts

From classic king cake twists to colorful trifles and cookie bars, these Mardi Gras dessert recipes bring parade energy straight to your kitchen.

With a few pantry staples and fun add-ons like colorful sprinkles and beads, you can build a dessert table that feels like a mini carnival.

However you celebrate, these Mardi Gras dessert recipes make it easy to share something sweet with friends, neighbors, and family.

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