Elvis Presley Filled His Sweet Tooth With These Go-To Desserts During Christmas at Graceland
Christmas at Elvis Presley‘s Graceland was a special time for the King of Rock and Roll, his family, and his friends. The music legend indulged in the tastes of the season, as prepared by many of Graceland’s most loyal and talented cooks. Here are some go-to desserts served at the historic Memphis estate.
Elvis Presley celebrated Christmas with traditional Southern desserts
Graceland was a hub of excitement and energy during the holiday season. Elvis Presley’s family home was filled with family and friends. They enjoyed weeks of delicious meals and desserts, prepared by Graceland’s dedicated cooks.
Some of Elvis’ favorite desserts that likely appeared on the family’s table between Thanksgiving and Christmas were traditional favorites such as pumpkin and pecan pies. However, some of the King of Rock and Roll’s personal favorites were also in the rotation.
Elvis’ favorite sweet treats included peach cobbler, pound cake, banana pudding, sweet potato pie, and chocolate cake. In The Presley Family Cookbook by Vester Presley and Nancy Rooks, Elvis’ cousin and longtime cook shared recipes in Graceland’s regular rotation.
Other than Elvis’ dessert favorites, other Presley family sweet treats on their table included fruitcake, Red Devil cake, Coconut Pound cake, Sweet Potato cake, Chess Pie, Peanut Butter Pie, and rice pudding.
Elvis always wanted one dessert in Graceland’s refrigerator, no matter the season
One of Graceland’s cooks, Pauline Nicholson, said in The Life and Cuisine of Elvis Presley, that Elvis Presley always wanted banana pudding in the refrigerator. Nicholson said the dessert was made fresh each evening.
Graceland’s Food and Beverage Director Daniel Clark stood in Graceland’s kitchen and demonstrated how to make Elvis’s favorite treat in a 2021 Instagram video. Angie Marchese, the VP of Archives and Exhibits at Graceland shared stories as Clark cooked.
Not only was this recipe a favorite of Elvis’s but it was also beloved by his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. She often requested this dessert when visiting her family home.
According to The Presley Family Cookbook, the ingredients include eggs, milk, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, salt, vanilla wafers, bananas, cream of tartar, and powdered sugar.
Elvis celebrated Christmas at Graceland with an abundance of food, family, and fun
During the Christmas season, Elvis Presley turned his Memphis mansion into a festive wonderland, combining his love for the holiday with his larger-than-life personality. Graceland was transformed into a holiday spectacle worthy of the King of Rock and Roll.
Graceland’s exterior featured life-sized Nativity scenes, Christmas lights, and a huge, illuminated Santa displays. Indoors, Elvis adorned his home with multiple Christmas trees, red velvet drapes, poinsettias, and other elements of the season.
The holiday season was Elvis’ favorite. He lavished gifts on his family, friends, and staff; from cars to jewelry, and cash. It was also a time for gratitude for his many professional and personal blessings. Elvis regularly made charitable donations during the holiday season to help those less fortunate.
Elvis’ family and close friends gathered in Graceland’s dining room to enjoy a holiday meal. This feast included turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. Elvis would also sit at the piano and play holiday classics, and everyone sang along.
Elvis Presley moved into Graceland in 1957. Except for three years, Elvis spent every Christmas at Graceland until 1976. He died on Aug. 16, 1977, at 42.
