Cajun Country is world-famous when it comes to food. While we are known for savory specialties like boudin, crawfish, and jambalaya, Cajuns also have a serious sweet tooth. No Acadiana meal is complete without first indulging in dessert. Here are a few sweet treats everyone in the family will enjoy!

Louisiana Snow Balls

This ice-cold treat is the perfect antidote to a hot summer day. Invented by a New Orleans man in the 1930s, snowballs remain a statewide staple. Louisiana harvests tons of sugar yearly; pure cane syrup makes snowballs so good. Open from April to September, Murph's Olde Tyme Snowball Stand is a local favorite located near the University of Louisiana. Open year-round, Cajun Snow is so popular that lines start forming right after the school bell rings. Snowballs even come stuffed with Blue Bell ice cream for the ultimate brain freeze. For a list of snowball stands in Lafayette, click here. 

King Cake

Popular at Mardi Gras, these divine pastries are a must on any trip to Louisiana. Even if you are not here for Carnival Season, you can special order king cakes year-round, usually with a 48-hour notice. Stop into Poupart's Bakery, founded in 1967 by French native Francois Poupart, for a wonderful selection of year-round pastries and a traditional French-style king cake. Another heavy hitter, Keller's Bakery, has roots dating back to 1895 when Victor Keller opened the family's first bakery in nearby Abbeville. Now located in downtown Lafayette, Keller's produces homemade treats and hundreds of king cakes daily during Mardi Gras. For more information on King Cakes in Lafayette, click here. 

Ice Cream

There's nothing sweeter than nostalgia, and Borden's dishes out plenty. The world's last remaining Borden's shop, the downtown Lafayette landmark, has been popular since 1940. Patrons can choose from two dozen flavors of ice cream and sherbet, plus hand-spun milkshakes, malts, and even cold Borden's milk right out of the machine. A block down the street is Carpe Diem, a gelato and espresso bar that is the perfect pick-me-up for kids and parents. Since 1947, Judice Inn has been known for its burgers, but its milkshakes are also not to be missed, served in the family-owned casual diner. 

Donut

Lafayette folks are fiercely loyal when it comes to their hometown doughnut shops. Locals brag that Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts wouldn’t dare open shop here because they wouldn’t make it. Two popular stops are Rickey Meche’s Donuts and Cajun Market Donut Company, both with multiple locations. Opened in the late ‘60s, the Original Rickey Meche’s Donut King is more popular than ever, serving fresh doughnuts, king cakes, and kolaches. Cajun Market Donut Company serves more than a dozen types of doughnuts and doughnut holes, including maple bacon, turtle, and Bavarian cream.

Beignets

17th-century French settlers brought beignets to Acadia, Canada, and then later to Louisiana, where they eventually landed. The square-shaped, deep-fried, airy doughnut topped with powdered sugar is ideal for breakfast or an anytime treat. T-Coons is another go-to spot for warm, finger-licking-good beignets. It's the perfect last stop on the Cajun Food Tour, with Marie Ducote-Comeaux. 

Lagniappe

Still hungry for more? For something a little extra, head to locally-owned Bonne Vie Macarons. This female-owned show is known for its dedication to detailed, creative design and fresh, authentic taste. The daily menu includes macarons, cupcakes, cookie sandwiches, petit fours, cookie dough cups, and more. Owner & Creative Director of Bonne Vie Macarons, Heather Degeyter, has created a welcoming space for all with a team of female baking gurus. Follow their social media accounts to stay updated on Bonne Vie Macarons’ latest book club, tasting, and themed events.