You have probably come to know about beignets because of the long queues they draw in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. These are pillow-like fried treats, or you can say donuts with no hole that everyone would love to eat. You can easily make them at home and cover them in sugar or dip them in the sauce for a trip to New Orleans (in imaginations).
The recipe I am going to share with you guys today is simple and easy to follow. So, let’s get started already.
Making Homemade Beignets (Recipe)
Ingredients Required
- ¾ cup lukewarm water 110°F/45°C
- 3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. of active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp. shortening
- 1 egg whisked
- 1/4 cup of white sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- A dash of nutmeg
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 qtr. oil for frying
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Activate and Mix
Add ¾ cup of lukewarm water to a small bowl, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of yeast and stir well. Allow the yeast to activate for 5-7 minutes. While the yeast activates, grab another large bowl or a stand mixer and add egg, sugar, salt, heavy cream, and shortening. Mix all these ingredients well until they are combined. When 5 minutes are up, pour in the yeast to this mix.
Step 2: Add Flour and Mix
Once you have combined all the ingredients and pour in the activated yeast into it, add the flour to this mix. If you are using a stand mixer, use a dough hook attachment and mix it on medium speed until all the ingredients are combined, but the dough is still a bit sticky to the touch.
Step 3: Wait
After mixing the flour in your mixture, make a ball out of the dough and place it in a greased or oil sprayed bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap for about 1 hour. This will allow the dough to rise.
Step 4: Cut the Dough
If the dough has risen properly, it is ready for the next steps. Sprinkle some flour to the surface to roll out the dough without sticking it (make sure you cut it ½ inch thick). The pieces should be cut into 2 ½ inch squares.
Step 5: Fry Time
Grab a deep frying pan and add vegetable oil into it (at least 3 inches). Heat the oil over medium-high until it reaches between 360°F – 370°F. For high accuracy, you will need a kitchen thermometer because if the oil is cooler than the given temperature, it won’t cook beignets fast enough. On the other hand, if the oil is hotter than this, it will burn the beignets. So, make sure to strive for accuracy when making them at home.
Work in batches when frying them. It will take about one minute for each side to turn golden brown, and this is what you want.
Step 6: Serve Fresh
Once the beignets turn golden brown from each side, use tongs to remove them from the hot oil. Take a plate, put a paper towel on it, and place the beignets on it for them to drain. While they are still warm, dust them with powdered sugar (confectioners sugar), and serve them hot and fresh – they will taste much better this way.
Can You Make Them Ahead of Time?
Unfortunately, you cannot. Beignets taste best when served right away while still warm, just like all other fried items. If the beignets aren’t served fresh, they will lose some of their airiness as they sit and won’t feel as light and moist as they do when fresh.
Summary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Wait Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
- Servings: 18
