Mardi Gras Party Dessert Ideas for Any Budget

Mardi Gras is a time of year for celebration, indulgence, and letting loose. But, of course, one of the most important aspects of any Mardi Gras party is the food, and in particular, the desserts. From colorful cupcakes to traditional King Cake, Mardi Gras desserts are a festive and delicious way to add flavor to your celebration.

The good news is that you don't have to break the bank to create an impressive spread of Mardi Gras desserts. This blog post will share a range of Mardi Gras party dessert ideas that are perfect for any budget. So, whether you're looking for easy and affordable treats to make at home or are willing to splurge on some high-end options, we've got you covered. So, get ready to bring the spirit of New Orleans to your party with these delicious and festive Mardi Gras dessert ideas.

Budget-Friendly Mardi Gras Desserts

If you're looking for affordable Mardi Gras dessert ideas, there are plenty of options that are both easy to make and easy on the wallet. Here are four budget-friendly Mardi Gras desserts that are sure to please your guests:

King Cake Pops 

King Cake is a traditional Mardi Gras dessert, and these bite-sized cake pops are a fun and budget-friendly twist on the classic treat. To make King Cake Pops, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 can cream cheese frosting
• Purple, green, and gold sprinkles
• Lollipop sticks

To make the cake pop, simply follow the instructions on the cake mix box to bake the cake. Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into a large mixing bowl and add the can of cream cheese frosting. Mix until well combined, then roll the mixture into small balls. Insert a lollipop stick into each ball, then dip them into the purple, green, and gold sprinkles. Allow the cake pops to cool in the fridge until firm.

Rice Krispie Treat Masks 

These Rice Krispie Treat Masks are a fun and easy way to add a Mardi Gras twist to a classic treat. To make Rice Krispie Treat Masks, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. butter
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• Purple, green, and gold food coloring
• Decorating gel or icing
• Plastic wrap

Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the marshmallows, and stir until melted. Remove the pan from heat and add the Rice Krispies cereal. Mix until well combined, then divide the mixture into three bowls. Dye one bowl of a mix of purple and another green, and leave the third bowl white. Grease your hands with butter, then shape the mixture into mask shapes. Use the decorating gel or icing to draw on the details of the masks. Cover the masks with plastic wrap until they are ready.

Mid-Range Mardi Gras Desserts

If you're willing to spend a bit more on your Mardi Gras desserts, some creative and delicious options are sure to impress your guests. Here are four mid-range Mardi Gras desserts that are perfect for those who want to indulge in some decadent treats:

Hurricane Cupcakes 

These Hurricane Cupcakes are inspired by the famous New Orleans cocktail and are a fun and boozy addition to any Mardi Gras celebration. To make Hurricane Cupcakes, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• Red and yellow food coloring
• 1 can vanilla frosting
• Maraschino cherries

Prepare the cake mix according to the instructions on the box, then add the rum and pineapple juice to the batter. Divide the batter in half and dye one-half red and the other half yellow. Place a spoonful of each color of batter into cupcake liners, then bake according to the instructions on the box. Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost them with vanilla and top each cupcake with a maraschino cherry.

Mini Mardi Gras Cheesecakes 

These Mini Mardi Gras Cheesecakes are a rich and decadent treat perfect for a more upscale Mardi Gras party. To make Mini Mardi Gras Cheesecakes, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Purple, green, and gold food coloring
• Whipped cream

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and press the mixture into the bottom of a cupcake pan. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Divide the mixture into three bowls, dye one bowl of mixture purple and another green, and leave the third bowl white. Place spoonfuls of each color of the mixture into the cupcake pan and swirl them together with a toothpick. Bake for 20-25 minutes, then cool and top with whipped cream.

High-End Mardi Gras Desserts

There are some truly indulgent and luxurious dessert options for those who want to go all out for their Mardi Gras party. Here are four high-end Mardi Gras desserts that are sure to impress your guests:

Pecan Praline Cake 

This Pecan Praline Cake is a rich and decadent dessert perfect for a high-end Mardi Gras party. To make the cake, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Fold the chopped pecans, then pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Heat the brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and pour the praline sauce over the cooled cake.

Mardi Gras King Cake 

The King Cake is a classic Mardi Gras dessert, and this recipe takes the traditional treat to the next level. To make a Mardi Gras King Cake, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 packages of active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 cups flour
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• Purple, green, and gold food coloring
• 1 small plastic baby
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp. milk
• Purple, green, and gold sprinkles

In a mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and sugar. Add in the flour, warm milk, melted butter, egg yolks, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, and mix until a dough forms. Divide the dough into three portions, dye one portion purple and another green, and leave the third portion white. Roll out each portion of dough into long strips and braid the strips together. Form the braided dough into a circle and let it rise until it doubles in size. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, then insert the plastic baby into the cake. Mix the powdered sugar and milk to create a glaze, then spread the glaze over the cooled cake and top with purple, green, and gold sprinkles.

How to Serve Mardi Gras Themed Desserts?

One way to make your Mardi Gras dessert display stand out is by using mini disposable partyware. Mini plastic plates, fancy mini silverware, and mini disposable bowls are all great options for serving your desserts. These items are easy to find at the fantastic Smarty Had A Party online store, and they are affordable as well. Not only will mini partyware add a fun and festive touch to your Mardi Gras party, but it also makes cleanup a breeze.

Mardi Gras is a celebration of good food, good company, and good times. And what better way to cap off a Mardi Gras party than with a delicious dessert? Whether you're working with a tight budget or want to go all out, there are plenty of options for Mardi Gras desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth. From budget-friendly options to mid-range treats to high-end indulgences, there's something for every taste and budget. So why not try out a few of these Mardi Gras dessert ideas and make your next celebration one to remember? Happy Mardi Gras!

 

Party on, Smarties! With love, Smarty had a Party!