Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Indulge in these sweet and flavorful Mardis Gras Bourbon King cake bars! Splendorous purple, yellow and green icing brings these delightful treats to life for your guests this February. And if you’re looking for a fun and boozy kick, this treat has got just what you’re looking for! Wow your guests with a tasteful combination of sweet yellow cake and bourbon in one mouth watering dessert.
Rich Mardis Gras Bourbon King Cake Bars Recipe
These delicious bar cakes are a breeze to whip up, especially in short order ahead of your Mardis Gras party guests! Not only do they taste the part, but they look it too. These Fat Tuesday bars are an indulgent treat inspired by the libations of this day celebrated around the world. If you’re looking for something easy to bake for Mardis Gras, these Bourbon King cake bars are something your guests will ask for in years to come!
It takes less than twenty minutes to throw together the ingredients to make this scrumptious cake ahead of your guests. Mardis Gras is an occasion that calls for a treat that’s pure enjoyment in the form of a dish, and this cake is exactly that.
If there’s one thing you need to know about Mardis Gras foods, is that skimping on calories here and there is NOT a concern. As a matter of fact, the whole spirit of the day revolves around feasting and indulgence in delicious fashion!
What Kind of Alcohol Is the Best for Baking?
When you’re doing any kind of baking with booze, you’re going to want to know what’s the most suitable liquor for baking with. Worry not! Besides the fact that this cake is so easy to make, it goes perfectly with one of the more common bottles of bourbon you’ll find out there. Balancing the sweetness of this yellow cake, Jim Beam, or Maker’s Mark both make the perfect choice. It’s sweet enough to compliment the cake and icing, while adding a distinct spiced note to each bite. The boozy flavor will be maintained throughout the cooking process, making it a memorable and savory treat.
Can I Bake This Cake in a Round Mould?
While best suited for a rectangular 9X10 pan, you can certainly bake this dish in a standard round cake tin. The most important point here would be to ensure that you don’t use anything too deep. If you must use a larger tin, ensure you don’t bake too much, or too large of a dough ball at once otherwise you might end up with an undercooked cake!
Enjoy these deliciously sweet Mardis Gras Bourbon King cake bars for a colorful and festive addition to your fat tuesday dessert spread! Don’t forget to tell us how your cake bars turned out in the comments below.
Mardis Gras Bourbon King Cake Bars:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 min
Yield: 6-7
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
Filling:
- 11/2 cup pecans
- 1 cup lite brown sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp. Bourbon
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
Glaze:
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tbsp. Bourbon
- Colored sugar, green, purple and yellow
Mardis Gras Bourbon King Cake Bars Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a 9×10 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add the butter and sugar in a bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment.
- Mix to combine on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Reduce the speed to low, add in the flour, salt, and lemon juice.
- Mix to combine until a soft dough ball forms.
- Take ⅔ of the dough and press it evenly into the lined pan.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until the crust is a golden brown.
Filling:
- In a medium bowl add all of the filling ingredients and toss until
pecans are evenly covered. - Remove the bottom crust from the oven once baked, pour the pecan
filling on top and spread all over the crust. - Carefully roll out the remaining 1/3 of the dough and place it on top
of the filling. - Bake until the top layer is a golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow cool to room temperature.
For the Glaze:
Combine the powdered sugar, borbon , milk and vanilla and whisk together
until you have a smooth glaze.
Sprinkle all colored sugar on top and enjoy!
