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Mardi Gras King Cake
This frosted king cake is the highlight of our annual Mardi Gras party. If you want to hide a token inside, do so by cutting a small slit in the bottom of the baked cake…and remember to warn your guests! —Lisa Mouton, Orlando, FloridaLearn more about what is a king cake here.
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Bourbon Pecan Pralines
Like authentic pecan pralines found in New Orleans, these treats are sweet, crunchy and rich! —Taste of Home Test KitchenYour event isn’t complete without some of our best recipes for Mardi Gras.
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New Orleans Beignets
These sweet, square and holeless French doughnuts are known as beignets. New Orleans’ traditional breakfast always includes a few of these powdered sugar delicacies. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana(For another traditional Mardi Gras doughnut, try our paczki recipe.)
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Bananas Foster Sundaes
I have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat. —Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina 5 / 24
Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Take these simple Mardi Gras cupcakes to a get-together and watch them disappear. Kids will love to help decorate them with the colorful sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 6 / 24
Turtle Praline Tart
This rich dessert is my own creation, and I'm very proud of it. It's easy enough to make for everyday meals but special enough to serve guests or take to a potluck. —Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana 7 / 24
Majestic Pecan Cake
This recipe truly lives up to its name. The pecan-dotted cake is stacked in three layers, and made-from-scratch frosting is the crowning touch.—Karen R. Jones, Claypool, Indiana 8 / 24
Bananas Foster on the Grill
Bananas Foster is my husband's favorite dessert, and this is one of the easiest recipes I've ever found. Not only is it delicious, it's a great way to use those bananas that are a little too ripe to just peel and eat. —Rebecca Clark, Warrior, Alabama 9 / 24
Chewy Pecan Pie Bars
This is one of my husband's favorite recipes, and he suggested I send it in. I've been making these pecan pie bars for many years. —Judy Taylor, Shreveport, Louisiana 10 / 24
Springtime Beignets & Berries
I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado 11 / 24
Rum Raisin Creme Brulee
Inspired by a favorite ice cream flavor, I created this make-ahead recipe to free up some time in the kitchen. You can also serve this as a custard if you choose to not caramelize the top. —Eleanor Froehlich, Rochester, Michigan 12 / 24
Bananas Foster Gelato
The classic combination of bananas and rum is reinvented as an ice cream dish that's even better with ribbons of caramel topping. It's an outstanding treat for adults! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia 13 / 24
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Monkey Bread
Time to give rum cake a little competition! If this boozy take on monkey bread is too strong for your taste, cut back on the bourbon or use milk as a non-alcoholic substitute. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor 14 / 24
King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
Round out your Mardi Gras celebration with a King Cake—a colorful ring-shaped pastry drizzled with green, gold and purple icing. This stunning cake has become the gala holiday’s signature dessert.—Alice LeJeune, Ville Platte, Louisiana 15 / 24
Favorite Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Tart
I grew up in Louisiana where, as in most of the South, pecan pie is a staple. this tart variation is extra good because it includes chocolate. I decided to up the decadence even more by adding bourbon and drizzling some caramel on top. —Amber Needham, San Antonio, Texas 16 / 24
Brunch Beignets
Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, Florida 17 / 24
Banana Bread Pudding
When I visited my grandmother in summer, I always looked forward to the comforting banana bread pudding she'd make. With its crusty golden top, custard-like inside and smooth vanilla sauce, this pudding is a real homespun dessert. Now I make it for my grandchildren. —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio 18 / 24
Frosted Anise Sugar Cookies
These soft, cake-like cookies have a pleasant anise flavor that's distinct but not overpowering. I add red and green sprinkles for Christmas, but you could decorate them to suit any occasion.—Janice Eanni, Willowick, Ohio 19 / 24
Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
When my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. We can't get enough of this recipe inspired by Kentucky Derby bourbon chocolate pecan pie. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North Carolina 20 / 24
Margarita Cake
This margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania 21 / 24
Praline Cookies
These cookies are both crisp and chewy. They can be frozen after they're iced for real convenience. With two small children, that's a great way to have my baking done ahead of time for holidays or special occasions. The only problem is hiding them so my husband can't find them! —Melody Sroufe, Wichita, Kansas 22 / 24
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
There's nothing better than this comforting bread pudding recipe on a cold, wintry day. The bourbon sauce makes the dessert taste special, but it's so easy to prepare—the slow cooker does most of the work! —Hope Johnson, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 23 / 24
Berry-Filled Doughnuts
Four ingredients are all you'll need for this sure-bet breakfast treat. Friends and family will never guess that refrigerated buttermilk biscuits are the base for these golden, jelly-filled doughnuts. —Ginny Watson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 24 / 24
Banana-Hazelnut Pain Perdu Duet
The ultimate breakfast at our house is French toast with warm bananas and Nutella. Pass it around with confectioners' sugar, maple syrup and fresh mint. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida Originally Published: December 02, 2019