Spend your Mardi Gras right by making some beignets! If you have never made them from scratch before, the idea might seem a bit overwhelming. Just follow this recipe and tips from Simply Recipes to wow yourself and your friends!
Ingredients
For your beignets, gather three cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt, three tablespoons of sugar (divided), one cup of warm whole milk (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit), two teaspoons of dry activated yeast, one large egg, three tablespoons of melted butter, one and ½ to two quarts vegetable oil, and three cups of powdered sugar.
How to Make Beignets
Begin by mixing the flour, salt, and two tablespoons of sugar with the paddle attachment of a stand mixer. In a medium bowl, add the warm milk and remaining sugar, and yeast, let it sit for five minutes. Beat the egg into the foamy mixture and then add to the flour and mix until a shaggy texture. Then use the hook attachment and add butter. Knead on the hook for six minutes. Once the dough is ready, shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, and cover it for two hours.
Fill a four-quart pot with the oil and set up your cooling station. Sift the powdered sugar into a medium-sized bowl and place it to the side. Once the dough is ready, lightly flour a surface and roll it into an oblong shape. Cut into 16 rectangles and cover with a flour-dusted towel while the oil heats. Heat oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and fry the beignets in batches for one minute to a minute and a ½ per side. The drain beignets and top with powdered sugar.
Time Tips
If you want to prep the dough ahead of frying, you can do a slow rise in the fridge overnight. Just let the cut beignets rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. If you want to reheat the beignets, you can for 10 seconds in the microwave!
You might also like: Celebrate Valentine’s Day At Home This Year
Are Beignets Different than Donuts?
Donuts rise twice, once before, and once after being cute. However, beignets only have one rise and instead of being glazed, are covered in powdered sugar.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.