Beignets are a classic French pastry that has been enjoyed for centuries. They are small, pillowy doughnuts made from choux pastry and fried in oil or lard. Beignets can be served either plain or with various sweet fillings such as jam, custard, chocolate or fruit.
Brief History and Origin
Beignets have been around since the 16th century. The first recorded mention was in 1540, when French cooks served them in Paris to celebrate a royal wedding. They spread throughout France and eventually to other parts of Europe. By the 18th century, they had become popular in New Orleans and served with coffee or hot chocolate for breakfast. Today, beignets are still enjoyed worldwide but are especially popular in Louisiana, where they are often served with cafe au lait for breakfast or brunch.
Beignet – The Recipe
- Preparation Time: 30 mins
- Cooking Time: 35 mins
- Additional time: 2 hrs.
- Total time: 3 hrs 5 min
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4g active dried yeast
- 250g app-purpose flour, divided
- 25g caster sugar
- 125g evaporated milk
- 1 egg
- 25g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ l vegetable oil
- 50g shortening
- 1 tsp. salt
- 25g confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Pour warm water into a bowl, add yeast and mix. Add evaporated milk, eggs, salt, sugar, and 150g of flour in a large bowl, mix well, and make a well in the center.
- Pour the yeasty liquid into the well and mix until all the ingredients are well combined. Then add shortening and remaining flour, mix again, cover and leave in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. You can also leave for 24 hours.
- When the dough is ready, take it out of the refrigerator and roll it until 1/8″ thick, then cut into 2 ½” squares.
- Pour oil into a deep pot over high heat.
- When the oil temperature reaches 180 degrees C, add beignets and fry until they turn brown and puffed.
- When ready, remove from the oil using a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel until drained completely.
- Sprinkle beignets with confectioner’s sugar and serve immediately.
Popular variations
Here are a few ways you can change this basic recipe to adjust it to your liking:
- Raspberry Sauce Beignets: Classic beignets served with homemade beignet sauce are perfect.
- Chocolate Espresso Beignets: Serve beignets with rich chocolate and espresso sauce. It is deep and heartwarming.
- Nutella-Filled Beignets:Nutella-filled beignets are delicious. The chocolatey filling makes these everyone’s favorite.
- Blueberry Beignets:dotted with blueberries, this recipe offers a unique twist on a traditional recipe.
- Vanilla Beignets: The flavors of vanilla and cinnamon stand out, making this dish more tasteful.
