Grab your beads, costumes and masks. Break out the fatty foods, the celebration cocktails and your King cake. It’s time to celebrate Fat Sunday. Yes that’s correct, we are having a Mardi Gras party #SundaySupper style and that means bringing it to you two days earlier.
Have you ever been down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras? I’ve never been, actually I’ve never visited New Orleans period. It’s on my travel to-do list for the immediate future. Mardi Gras or rather Carnival is really the party of the year, thousands of people descend not only upon New Orleans but to Rio, Cologne, Venice and many other countries around the world to celebrate.
This celebration isn’t just an excuse to eat and drink but is associated with the day before Ash Wednesday. Eating decadent foods plays a large part since lent begins right after but for many it’s the chance to enjoy good food, company and the elaborate parades.
With New Orleans being the largest and most well known Mardi Gras party it was pretty easy to come up with a fun idea to make today. New Orleans has a rich culinary history bringing us creole and cajun cuisine. While I love to eat it, I’d rather leave making it to the experts. There is an art to making gumbo and frankly I’d rather share my art of taking a cocktail and turning it into a dessert.
I think most of us associate mint juleps with the Kentucky Derby but when I was searching Mardi Gras cocktails this was listed alongside Hurricanes and Sazeracs. We all know I love bourbon so I was sold from the get go.
These bars don’t pack much of a bourbon punch but they are packed with plenty of mint. Whatever you do, don’t skip out on the fresh mint in the shortbread. It adds just the right amount of freshness to keep the medicinal mint taste away that you can sometimes get with extract.
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) slightly frozen unsalted butter, grated
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees and grease and line an 8X8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Place the sugar and fresh mint in a medium bowl and using a pestle or cocktail muddler, muddle the mint with the sugar until the mint begins to breakdown and the sugar has the consistency of wet sand. Remove any large pieces of mint and stems.
- Mix in the flour, salt and grated butter. Combine until it comes together (the mixture will be crumbly) and transfer to the prepared baking pan.
- Press down firmly so the dough is in an even layer and bake for 25 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown.
- While the shortbread is baking prepare the bourbon syrup. In a small saucepan over medium heat dissolve the sugar and water. Stir in the bourbon and let it cook with the sugar and water for about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
- Once the shortbread is fully baked remove from the oven and while still hot prick all over with a the tines of a fork.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the shortbread with the bourbon syrup. Make sure the first layer has dissolved until brushing again. Repeat until all the syrup is finished.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before removing and cutting into squares.
- In a small bowl whisk together the confectioners sugar, peppermint extract and heavy cream to form a thick glaze. If the glaze seems too thick, add a little more heavy cream 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Drizzle over the cut bars and let set for 10 minutes before serving.
- Store in an airtight container.
Let’s take a look and see what the rest of the #SundaySupper contributors are bringing to the Mardi Gras party.
Cocktails & Other Beverages:
- The Hurricane Cocktail Recipe from An Appealing Plan
- The French 75 from Kimchi MOM
- Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Appetizers:
- Fried Oysters and Remoulade from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Shrimp in Mustard Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands
- Mini Sweet Potato Pies from MealDiva
- Cajun Crab Beignets from Delaware Girl Eats
- Pancetta and Mushroom Arancini from Ruffles & Truffles
Main Dishes:
- Creole Shrimp Po Boy Recipe from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo from Supper for a Steal
- Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya from Yours And Mind Are Ours
- Vegan Pizza Waffles from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
- Red Beans and Rice from Cookin’ Mimi
- Baked Catfish Po’Boy from Curious Cuisiniere
- Muffaletta from Casa de Crews
- Bayou Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya from The Weekend Gourmet
- Seafood Gumbo from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Cajun Rice & Beans from Momma’s Meals
- Creole Celery Root Bisque (with Lobster) from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Louisiana Roasted Barbecue Shrimp from Food Lust People Love
- Cajun Dirty Rice Bowls from The Dinner-Mom
- New Orleans Fried Chicken from Family Foodie
Side Dishes:
- Baked Endive and Pears in Blue Cream Sauce from Shockingly Delicious
- Okra Creole from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Desserts:
- Banana Creme Pie with Honey Whipped Cream and Pecan Brittle from The Foodie Patootie
- Chocolate Ganache Tart from Melanie Makes
- Banana Bread Pudding from Gotta Get Baked
- Delicious Saffron Baked Beignets from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- New Orleans Bread Pudding with Caramel Whiskey Sauce from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Polish Paczki from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Buttermilk Beignets from The Messy Baker
- Eggless Bread Pudding in a Jar from What Smells So Good?
- Mint Julep Bars from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Mardi Gras Cupcakes w/ Cinnamon Frostingfrom Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Mardi Gras Long Johns from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Mexican Chocolate Coffee Cake from La Cocina de Leslie
- Fasnetküchle from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Cheesecake Swirl Brownies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pecan and Chocolate Pralines from Desserts Required
- Chocolate Raspberry Cake from Clarks Condensed
- Baked Coconut Beignets from Mess Makes Food
- Ravioli dolci di Carnevale from Manu’s Menu
- Strawberry Paczki from Neighborfood
- Blackberry Fritters from girlichef
- Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake from Magnolia Days
- Flourless Chocolate Cake in a Mug w/ Coconut Cream from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Pecan Bars from Pies and Plots
- “Skinny Tuesday” Bananas Foster Cheesecake Parfaits from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Mocha Pear Cake from Happy Baking Days
- Skinny Baked Beignets from Daily Dish Recipes
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Now, this is a FUN idea! I love it and I am sure these bars taste amazing!
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What in interesting recipe. Love the sound of that icing along with the mint in the bars! Nice!
How fun is your dessert?! I have had a Mint Julep drink just once, but bet I’d love this way better!
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I adore mint and once mine starts growing I am so making these.
Love this idea Susan. I never knew Mint Juleps were a popular Mardi Gras treat, but I can totally get behind a sweet, minty, bourbon drink! These bars are a nice summery pick up for the snow we’re getting today (AGAIN!). Is it spring yet?!
What a wonderful little dessert! I have never seen anything like this! Looks just amazing!
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Whoa, I have just decided I’d much rather eat my mint juleps than drink them! Your bars look amazing, Susan!!!
This is such a creative recipe! Love that you brushed the bars with bourbon syrup!
I love that the flavors of a mint julep are transformed into a dessert. Yours bars look amazing!!
Not only are these bars so fun, your pictures are fantastic.
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My first night out in New Orleans, the Mint Julep was the drink recommended to me when I asked for a “traditional New Orleans cocktail.” I loooved it, so I’m sure I would devour a plate of these bars in no time!
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We both know how much I love fixing my holiday drinks, but I am happy to put this aside and eat my Mint Julep BAR instead!
Wow, what a great treat. Perfect for an adult party!
Oh yes!!! I am all about Fat Tuesday! If you are starting Fat Tuesday on Sunday can I eat bad for you but totally awesome foods until the end of Tuesday? Starting with these!!! Shortbread and bourbony minty goodness, amaze!
Mint julep in bar form… This is why I love you. I haven’t been to NO either; however, we’re planning a trip next year, April-ish. These look wonderful. Pinning.
What a fun dessert! I think my husband would love these! 🙂
What a great idea! These sound so fresh and delicious!
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Fresh mint is the way to go, Susan. These bars sound delicious!
You had me at mint – these sound delicious!
I went to NOLA the week after Mardi Gras last year, and it was still a crazy party..so I can’t imagine what it’s like to actually BE THERE during Mardi Gras. There is definitely a lot of emphasis on cocktails there, though I’m sad to say I didn’t have a mint julep! Well, I’ll just have to try it in bar cookie form!
What a cute idea. I love mint juleps so these bars I am sure would be a real winner.
Oh wow. Nobody will ever want to drink their mint julep ever again. How creative!
How fun are these bars?
Mardi Gras has always been one of my favorite times of the year, I’ve been to NOLA twice and LOVED it! I wish I had some of these bars to celebrate with!!
Well I love mint juleps and I adore dessert bars so what could possibly be not to like!
One of my favourite drinks in bar form-perfect!
I could eat a whole plate of these! They look awesome!
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Mmmm – a cocktail in bar form…sounds like perfection to me! Send a square my way, will ya? 😉
I freaking love everything about this recipe Susan. It’s so unique and perfect for the holiday. I adore any holiday that starts with the word “fat”. You just know it’s going to be epic. I have my stretchy pants all ready for tomorrow. Bring on the madness of all things Fat Tuesday. I’m so glad we started planning early. Copious amounts of paczki’s are awaiting, I saved an entire batch for tomorrow. Kiana filled them with everything from peach to chocolate. She even did some with fluff. I may need to be rolled into my bed at the end of the day. Ha.
What a fabulous idea! I love turning cocktails into desserts (and vice versa!). Don’t leave me alone in a room with a plate full of these bars… 🙂
I love shortbread madly and never thought of putting these flavours in it. BRAVO! I want to eat a whole tray!
Susan, you’re the queen of dessertifying boozy drinks and I love ya for it! These bars are awesome. You know how much I love bourbon and mint juleps are one of my favourite drinks. Having it in a yummy cookie bar form will be dangerous for my waistline since I’ll be eating the entire pan myself 😉
great, divine and delicious dessert bars, look so fresh and with a natural and unic aroma 🙂
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I have never had a mint julep before, but I am pretty sure I would like these bars better tan the drink!
what a great idea – bringing the famed drink into a cookie. I like how you used real mint. I’ve tried that in a cookie too!
YUM! These look wonderful and with the Kentucky Derby coming up I think I will make them for our party!
My coworkers are going to LOVE this
I’ll have to pass this recipe along to my family in Kentucky for Derby Day!
For Mardi Gras – maybe. I’m thinking these would be wonderful all year long especially in the summer mint growing season.
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