The History of New Orleans Stage Planks: Southern Cookie Bar Tradition

If you grew up in the rural American South or frequented neighborhood corner markets in Louisiana, chances are you remember Stage Planks. These large, rectangular, iced cookie bars have held a cult-following for over a century.

Part ginger snap, part soft molasses cake, and coated in colorful fruit icing, Stage Planks represent one of the oldest surviving African-American and Southern street food traditions.

Origins in 19th Century New Orleans

Historical records show Stage Planks being sold on the cobblestone streets of New Orleans as early as 1901. Because New Orleans was the primary Gulf port for Caribbean sugar and molasses imports, local bakers had direct access to rich dark molasses.

Vending women sold these long, flat cookies alongside pralines and calas. Because of their flat, wide shape—resembling wooden theater stage floorboards—they earned the moniker "Stage Planks."

Tribeca Curations

Stage Planks Ultimate Variety Pack | Includes Old Fashioned, Lemon, Banana, and Strawberry | 12 Bars

$20.32 In Stock View Product ➔

Flavor Profiles: Old Fashioned, Banana, Lemon & Strawberry

While the original Stage Plank featured a dark ginger-molasses base topped with white vanilla icing, modern renditions by bakeries like Uncle Al's expanded the lineup to include distinct fruit icings:

Old Fashioned: Rich molasses and warm spice cake under classic sweet icing.
Lemon: Zesty yellow icing balancing the deep ginger notes.
Banana: Creamy banana icing—a Southern favorite paired with cold milk.
Strawberry: Sweet pink icing providing a vibrant berry burst.

How to Enjoy Stage Planks Today

Stage Planks are traditionally enjoyed crumbled over vanilla ice cream or dunked into a hot cup of black coffee or chicory tea. At Tribeca Curations, we source authentic Stage Planks in 12-bar variety packs so you can experience all four iconic flavors!