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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Beignets - French Quarter Doughnuts

Another goodie for Mardi Gras!  When we lived in New Orleans, we used to love to go to Cafe' Du Monde in the Quarter,  or The Morning Call in Fat City for beignets and cafe au lait, and I decided I needed to learn to make them at home.  My neighbor gave me  this recipe, and I have used it since 1974.  The dough should be made the day before and refrigerated overnight.  It makes about five dozen beignets, but the dough will keep about 4-5 days in the fridge.

Ingredients
1 1/2 C warm water
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 C. evaporated milk
7 C flour
1/4 C vegetable oil
Oil for deep frying
Powdered sugar

Instructions:
Put warm water in bowl, add yeast; stir until dissolved.  Add sugar, salt, eggs, and evaporated milk.  Gradually add 4 cups of the flour; beat with wooden spoon until dough is smooth and well blended.  Mix in shortening, then add remaining flour 1/3 cup at a time, beating with spoon until it gets too stiff to stir, then work in rest of flour with your hands.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Roll desired amount of dough out on floured surface to about 1/8" thickness; using a sharp knife, cut into rectangles 2 1/2" by 3 1/2".  Preheat oil in a deep fryer to 360F.  Fry beignets 3 or 4 at a time until they are puffy and golden brown, turning often.  Drain on a platter lined with paper towels, then place the platter, without paper towels, in a 200F oven to keep warm while you cook the rest.  Sprinkle heavily with powdered sugar, and serve hot.  Do not substitute milk for the evaporated milk!  Goes great with cafe' au lait.
Sweets For A Saturday

14 comments:

  1. Oh I so LOVE Beignets-got my first introduction several years ago, my SIL is from New Orleans. In fact they are traveleing there this week for a wedding and guess what they are getting. Your're right Beignets in the French Quarter!!!!
    Your receipe looks magnificient.
    Ann

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    1. Hey Ann! Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you like this recipe, my family always has. I visited your blog, and am now following. Patsy

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  2. I always make a fun mardi gras themed dinner on Fat Tuesday for my family. Beignets have been on my to do list for years! Hopefully I'll get to this recipe this year! I linked over from Crumbs and Chaos

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    1. I'm so glad you dropped by, Camille. I just joined your blog. If you try this recipe, drop back by and let me know how you like it. Enjoy your Mardi Gras! Patsy

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  3. The only time I tried beignets was at Cafe' du Monde & oh, were they ever good!!!! I'd love to try these at home.

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    1. Kitty, I think these taste just like them. Let me know if you try them!

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  4. Oh my sweetness do these look divine! I could sink my teeth into quite a few of these, lol. Thank you so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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    1. Lisa, thank you very much. So glad you stopped by! Patsy

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  5. What a fabulous recipe! I've never had a beignets but I bet they taste good!! So glad I found your blog!

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    1. I am so glad you came by Jen! I also visited your blog. Those apple pancakes look delicious. I am a new follower. Patsy

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  6. I have never made beignets but I can't imagine I wouldn't LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yum x infinity and beyond.

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    1. Trish...beignets are puffy little pillow of awesomeness! :) Patsy

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  7. So excited by this recipe that I have already printed it out! I am less than 2 hours from the heart of New Orleans and make the day trip several times a year. Can't make it without heading to Cafe Du Monde! How fun to make them myself!!??

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  8. does the dough rise in the fridge? I make these for Thanksgiving breakfast and prefer to make the night before but my recipe calls for 2' rising in a warm place- do that before refrigerating? I can't remember. Thanks

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