Easy Beignet Recipe
Overview
Beignet is a pastry made from deep fried dough. They are sprinkled with confectioner's sugar resulting in a sort of French doughnut. In the United States, beignet is commonly found in New Orleans but is also served in restaurants and theme parks. Café du Monde and Disney's New Orleans Resort are known for their beignets. The following recipe yields approximately 50 beignets.
Step 1
In the medium saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, salt and water. Cook the mixture on medium-high heat until it reaches a boil.
Step 2
Remove the pan from heat and add flour. Stir vigorously. The ingredients should be combined thoroughly and the dough should form a ball without sticking to the sides of the pan.
Step 3
Mix in vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, stirring thoroughly. Knead dough until smooth, adding more flour by the tablespoon if needed. Roll it out onto a floured surface. Cut the dough into strips approximately 3 to 4 inches in length.
Step 4
Add about 1 ½ inches of oil into the large pan. Heat to 375 degrees using the deep-fry thermometer to check the temperature. If you don't have a thermometer, heat it on medium for 8 to 10 minutes or until a pinch of flour fries immediately when added to the oil.
Step 5
Drop strips of dough into the heated oil. Cook a few at a time, turning when they begin to expand, until they are golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels or cooling racks.
Step 6
Add confectioners' sugar to a brown paper bag. Drop in one beignet at a time and shake lightly to coat. A plastic bag may also be used or the confectioners' sugar may be sprinkled over the top of each pastry.
skill
2
ingredient
Medium saucepan
½ cup unsalted butter
1 tsp. sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup water
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
Rolling pin
Large pan for frying
Vegetable oil
Deep-fry thermometer (optional)
Brown paper bag (optional)
Confectioners' sugar
tip
When cutting the dough into strips, the size is left to your discretion. Make them larger or smaller depending on what is easiest for you to work with.
The beignet dough will expand about 2 inches in diameter while frying. Each piece should be turned about halfway through the cooking/expansion process.
When coating the beignets with confectioners' sugar, you may have to replenish the sugar in the paper bag from time to time. Add as much or as little as you like to suit your tastes.
warning
Be careful not to overcook the beignets. They will be thick and chewy instead of light and crispy. Cooking time does not typically exceed 5 minutes.
Do not leave hot oil unattended. While you are heating the oil and frying the beignets, do not walk away from the stove.
keyword
easy beignet beignets recipe
Resources