Sunday, February 17

Beignets


If you've ever seen Disney's Princess & The Frog or celebrated Mardi Gras with all the traditional New Orleans' treats, then you'll know exactly what a beignet is. For those of you who are still unaware--it's like a sugary powdered donut square. (Craving one yet?) Well, beignets don't have to just be for once a year on Mardi Gras or when you happen to be in the Big Easy, you can easily make them right at home!

And the best part is, this recipe is 2 for the price of 1! It makes a BOATLOAD of dough, so you are easily able to make a giant batch of beignets with half and save the other half for a dozen homemade cinnamon rolls. Let's get baking!


2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast 
1 1/2 c lukewarm water 
1/2 c sugar 
2 eggs 
1 1/4 tsp salt 
1 c evaporated milk 
7 c flour 
1/4 c butter, softened 

oil for frying (about 1 qt) 
powdered sugar for dusting (about ¼ c)

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add your sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Then add the softened butter and remaining 3 cups of flour. 

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to chill for up to 24 hours. (2-3 hours should do just fine. The longer it says in there, the easier it is to work with and the more it rises.)

Once the dough has risen and had a chance to chill, roll it out to 1/4 in thick on a floured surface. Then cut it into 1-in squares. (I like to use a pizza cutter for this).


(This next step is just like making homemade doughnuts--there's a video on that post if you want to watch.) Fry the squares 3-4 at a time in hot oil (about 360°F). (If the beignets do not pop up, your oil is not hot enough.) Turn them constantly until they are a golden brown, and then remove them from the oil and drain them on a paper towel.



Finally, dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!



Stay tuned for the homemade cinnamon roll recipe using the same dough!

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