Sweet tooth anyone? There are a whole host of delicious desserts that were invented right here in Louisiana. They make up the definition of comfort food, and many have the essential ingredients of rum and butter. The best thing about the desserts listed here–if you live in Louisiana, you’re one of the only people who can get them! Let’s dive into 10 of these traditional Louisiana desserts.

1) Bananas Foster
facebook.com/LouisianaCookin
Invented by Paul Blange at Brennan’s in New Orleans, this dessert was created when New Orleans was the hub for banana imports in the United States. It’s another favorite where rum and blow torch come in handy.
2) Sno-Balls
facebook.com/The-Spot-Sno-Balls-More
Not to be confused with northern snow-cones, sno-balls are made from finely shaved ice and flavored with the finest syrups and toppings. The equipment to create these confections was invented in New Orleans.
3) Calas Fried Rice Fritters
Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard/Facebook
A favorite traditional dish, calas are deep-fried rice cakes topped with a variety of flavors and sauces.
4) Beignets
flickr.com / WongDood
Perhaps there’s no more iconic dessert image than this, coffee and beignets at Café Du Monde in New Orleans. They are So. Much. More. than donuts!
5) Crème Brûlée
Warehouse No.1 Restaurant/Facebook
A classic French dessert, Louisiana fine dining restaurants have made this a staple on the menus. Maybe it’s because they love using the blow torch?

Related Stories

The Oldest Operating Borden’s In Louisiana Has Been Serving Mouthwatering Burgers And Ice Cream For Over 80 Years

The Oldest Operating Borden’s In Louisiana Has Been Serving Mouthwatering Burgers And Ice Cream For Over 80 Years

 The One-of-A-Kind Louisiana Sweet Dough Pie Festival Is The Sweetest Thing You’ll Ever Do

The One-of-A-Kind Louisiana Sweet Dough Pie Festival Is The Sweetest Thing You’ll Ever Do

 Sink Your Teeth Into A Massive Burger, Then Wash It Down With A Milkshake At Grub In Louisiana

Sink Your Teeth Into A Massive Burger, Then Wash It Down With A Milkshake At Grub In Louisiana
6) King Cake
facebook.com/drinkuplouisiana
A tradition that started more than 300 years ago, today’s king cakes come in countless flavors, with a variety of fillings, and of course, the coveted baby. Don’t forget—it’s your job to bring the next cake if you get it!
7) Pecan Pie
facebook.com/ashlylovett
A favorite around Louisiana and for anyone lucky enough to have a pecan tree somewhere in their close group of family or friends. Here’s a ghoulish version for Halloween!
8) Pralines
facebook.com/WWLRadio
The classic Louisiana candy, pralines can be made easily with pecans, brown sugar, and a candy thermometer. Coconut, walnuts, chocolate, vanilla, and so much more make delicious additions!
9) Doberge Cake
facebook.com/gambinosbakery
Another legendary dessert created by Beulah Ledner of St. Rose. It’s adapted from the Hungarian Dobos torte. Up to 11 layers of delicious goodness and wonderful pudding--if you haven’t tried it yet---GET ONE AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
10) Bread Pudding
facebook.com/boucherie.nola
An iconic Louisiana dessert, Bread Pudding is served all over the world, but the Louisiana version includes a sweet whiskey or rum sauce and pain perdu, or stale French bread. The version pictured here is served at Boucherie in New Orleans—their unique take is Krispy Kreme Donut Bread Pudding! WOW!

What are your favorite traditional Louisiana desserts on this list? Do you have something you love that didn’t make it here? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re in search of more sweet treats in Louisiana, here’s a restaurant that makes the best Chantilly cake.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Traditional Louisiana Desserts

Melanie J. | October 05, 2022

Besides the 10 traditional Louisiana desserts, what are some other sweet treats found in Louisiana?

While the 10 desserts on the list are divine, and the beignet is perhaps the most famous of them all, there are other sweet treats that we enjoy in Louisiana, one of which is the chocolate swamp cake or also known as the Louisiana swamp cake. If you love everything chocolate, then this cake will become your new favorite dessert. This chocolate cake is like a slice of heaven made with pecans, coconut, and the secret ingredient, marshmallow creme. After baking, the moist cake is then topped with ooey gooey chocolate icing that runs over the sides of the cake giving it the name swamp cake. One bite of this yummy goodness and you’ll never eat another slice of regular chocolate cake. Another dessert that we love in Louisiana is our version of the pumpkin pie called the pumpkin tarte à la bouillie. It translates to burnt pumpkin milk tart. It’s a smoother and silkier version of the pumpkin pie with a custard filling made from milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and butter. And here’s an article about a bakery that makes the most decadent French desserts in Louisiana.

What bakery has the best NOLA beignets? 

By far, the beignet is the most popular dessert in Louisiana. This simple fried dough covered in tons of powdered sugar became a force on its own. In fact, in 1986 it became the official donut of the state. Of course, this means that the sweet pastries are sold in various bakeries around NOLA. And while Café Du Monde might be the most famous bakery selling these delicious treats, there are other bakeries in NOLA that are equally notable. They include Nola Uptown Coffee & Beignets, Loretta's Authentic Pralines, and Monty's on the Square. Regardless of which one you choose, it’s guaranteed you’ll be eating some of the best beignets in NOLA. And for more sweet treats, check out our previous article about the ultimate pie shop road trip in Louisiana

Related Articles

Explore Louisiana

Featured Addresses
Louisiana, USA