Use this collection of Mardi Gras recipes, including King Cake recipes and drink ideas to plan your Fat Tuesday celebration!
Mardi Gras is almost here. You can already find decorations in purple, green, and gold in stores. The carnival season begins on the Epiphany (January 6th) and continues through Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday). It is the custom in many Catholic communities to mark the day with parties and feasting, in particular eating those foods which are traditionally given up during Lent. The idea is that Mardi Gras is the last chance to have a good time before Ash Wednesday starts the beginning of the somber Lenten season.
Decked in the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power), the King's Cake is a Mardi Gras tradition. It is round, to look like a crown, and inside it contains a bean, coin, or small plastic baby figure. The person who finds the hidden item in the cake is “king” of the celebration. The first king cake is traditionally served on the Epiphany and they are often served on Fridays throughout the carnival season. We are going to start with King Cake recipes because the cake plays a central role in any Mardi Gras celebration!
10 King Cake Recipes
- Easy Crescent Roll King Cake Recipe
- Traditional King Cake
- King Cake with Colored Icing
- Galette des Rois (French King Cake)
- Braided King Cake
- Blueberry Filled King Cake
- King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
- Hazelnut Praline filled King Cake
- Potato Bread King Cake
- Easy 30 Minute King Cake
Fun Variations on King Cakes
More Mardi Gras Dessert Recipes
In America, Mardi Gras is intertwined with the culture of Louisiana, so many of the foods served at the parties are Creole and Cajun in origin. Here are some Mardi Gras recipes to help you start planning your party.
15 Mardi Gras Recipes
- Red Bean Gumbo
- Shrimp and Okra Gumbo
- Crawfish Étouffée
- Mufuletta Pinwheels
- Mardi Gras Pancakes
- Barbecue Shrimp
- Muffaletta Bruschetta
- Low Country Boil
- Slow Cooker Gumbo
- New Orleans Style White Beans and Rice
- Corn Maque Chou Dip
- Crab Cakes with Red Chili Mayo
- Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo
- Roasted Cajun Sweet Potato Fries
- Mardi Gras Jambalaya
What you see on the news that happens in the Bourbon Street section of New Orleans is more a reflection of the fact that Spring Break often coincides with Mardi Gras than the actual practices of French Catholics. While alcohol plays a part in Mardi Gras, most celebrations are actually family-friendly events. Here are some Mardi Gras Activities for Kids.
5 Mardi Gras Drink Recipes
- Festive Mardi Gras Punch
- New Orleans Hurricane Drink
- Praline Pecan Milkshake
- Bourbon Milk Punch
- Painkiller Beverage Recipe
- Cajun Bloody Mary
- Mardi Gras Ice Ring Using King Cake Soda
Do you plan to celebrate Mardi Gras?
Denise says
What a beautiful collection of Mardi Gras treats! Michelle at Ms.enPlace is one of my favorite resources for all things Louisiana. Her recipes are all authentic, I am another Louisiana girl so I can attest to it. So glad to see her recipes here. Many others here I have not seen. Thank you, I have lots of exploring to do. I am also a new follower. Happy Mardi Gras!
sarah says
Beautiful collection of Mardi Gras treats,Thanks for sharing worth try