Louisiana Junk Food--Sweets, Part 2

Uncle Al’s Stage Planks and Lemon Planks

Waiting in line at the corner grocery store, I got into a conversation with the guy behind me. He pointed out the Stage Planks next to the register and fell into a reverie of how his grandmother would serve him Stage Planks and a cola every day after school. So I grabbed a pack of the Stage Planks and Lemon Planks when I checked out. These cookies have a long history in the Louisiana area but are getting harder and harder to find.

Beware--Planks are addictive. The Stage Planks are similar to a thin ginger or spice cookie, but even crispier. The Lemon Planks are similarly crisp but more like a sugar cookie, and the lemon flavor seems to emanate from the frosting. 

These taste like spice cookies

and these taste like sugar cookies with lemon frosting

Le Jeune Bakery’s Original Old Fashion Ginger Cake

Five generations of Le Jeune’s have been baking Ginger Cake and French Bread (their only two products) since 1884, and they continue to use original recipes developed in the 19th century. But sometimes change is good, and perhaps the LeJeune clan should take this to heart. The Ginger Cake is dry and not very gingery in flavor. It tastes like something you would pack for a long and arduous journey. 

Meh

Cajun Brand Sweet Dough Tart, Pineapple Flavor

This sweet is also known as Cajun Pie, and is particular to the Cajun area of Louisiana. Cajun Pie/Sweet Dough Tart is a well-loved treat in Cajun Country. Cajun Brand uses a recipe that is more than a century old, and like the Ginger Cake, its age is showing. It’s available in a number of flavors, from sweet potato to blackberry to coconut. Pineapple was the only variety left at the counter of Billy & Ray’s Boudin Shop where I picked up mine, which speaks to the popularity of Cajun Pie. This pie/tart doesn't resemble the flaky pastry one would normally expect. The filling was a bit dry and the ratio of filling to dough led to a very cakey product. But this may be due to the fact that the Sweet Dough Tart sat on our counter for a week before I tried it... I will give the Cajuns the benefit of the doubt and accept that this is more of an acquired taste.

Probably better when it hasn't been sitting around for a week and any other flavor besides pineapple.

Southern Sweet Potato Pie Company Ooey Gooey Cake

This cake is comprised of three layers—1) a dense bottom layer with a nice crumb and lightly sweet; 2) the ooey gooey layer whose consistency is just as advertised and is incredibly sweet; and 3) a crunchy sugary top. Even for me, this was too sweet. Half a piece is plenty and will still send you into a diabetic coma. Mayor Bloomberg would most certainly ban Ooey Gooey Cake.

Should come with a warning label.

The verdict--a big thumbs up to both Ooey Gooey Cake and Planks. It's a good thing we're heading back to California soon: all of this wonderful local junk food is affecting my waistline.