Best French Quarter Beignets From Paula Deen Recipes

FRENCH QUARTER BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
• Add milk, sugar, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast. Vigorously beat in flour. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
• Divide dough into quarters. Place 1 portion on a heavily floured surface. Roll to about 1/8-inch thickness using a well floured rolling pin. Cut into 2-inch squares. Repeat with remaining 3 portions.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 370 degrees F (188 degrees C). Fry beignets, a few at a time, until they puff and rise to the top, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and brown the other side, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

FRENCH QUARTER BEIGNETS (FROM PAULA DEEN)

Steps:

• Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• In another bowl, beat the eggs, salt and evaporated milk together.
• Mix egg mixture to the yeast mixture.
• In a separate bowl, measure out the bread flour.
• Add 3 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
• Add the shortening and continue to stir while adding the remaining flour.
• Remove dough from the bowl, place onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
• Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Put dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel.
• Let rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Add the confectioners' sugar to a paper or plastic bag and set aside.
• Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1-inch squares.
• Deep-fry, flipping constantly, until they become a golden color.
• After beignets are fried, drain them for a few seconds on paper towels, and then toss them into the bag of confectioners' sugar.
• Hold bag closed and shake to coat evenly.
• Serve warm with syrup, if desired.

FRENCH BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and salt.
• Place water and butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Add all of the flour mixture in the bowl, stirring briskly (it will come together like a ball); remove pan from heat.
• Using a large whisk, blend in eggs one at a time, until mixture is smooth and whites are well incorporated.
• Add the lemon zest and stir to blend.
• Heat enough oil to deep fry to a temp of 375F (at least several inches).
• Drop batter mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls into hot oil and cook 5-7 minutes, frequently turning beignets with chopsticks to cook all sides, and frying until nicely golden.
• Drain beignets on paper towels.
• When cool, dust with powdered sugar (if you dust them while they are too warm, the sugar will melt and get damp).
• Heat jam or jelly until melted using a small saucepan or microwave, stirring occasionally as it melts.
• Serve beignets with melted jam as a dipping sauce.

FRENCH QUARTER BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In medium bowl, stir granulated sugar and yeast in warm water until dissolved. In large bowl, beat eggs, milk and melted butter. Add yeast mixture; mix well. Add flour and salt; mix well. (Dough will be very sticky.) Cover bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
• Divide chilled dough into fourths; keep refrigerated until ready to roll. Place 1 portion of dough on lightly floured work surface; sprinkle with additional flour. With floured rolling pin, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness; cut into 3-inch squares.
• In deep fryer or 3-quart heavy saucepan, heat 2 to 3 inches oil to 375°F. Fry dough squares, 3 or 4 at a time (do not overcrowd), in hot oil 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until puffed and golden brown. Drain on paper towels or cooling rack placed over cookie sheet.
• Repeat rolling, cutting and frying remaining 3 portions of dough. Sprinkle beignets with powdered sugar before serving. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.