Beignets

Beignets

"The word Beignet in French is "fritter" or "doughnut". The country of origin is France but they are very popular in New Orleans, Beignets are doughnut-like fried dough that are dusted with powdered sugar. 

Ingredients

1 ½ cups lukewarm water

½ cup granulated sugar

1 envelope active dry yeast

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 ¼ teaspoons salt

1 cup evaporated milk

7 cups bread flour

¼ cup shortening

Vegetable oil

3 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:

Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, salt, and evaporated milk together.

Add egg mixture to yeast mixture and mix.

Stir in 3 cups of bread flour. (A wooden spoon is good for stirring.)

Add shortening and stir it in. Stir in remaining flour.

Note: The video above shows melted shortening being used, but there is no need to melt the shortening. It will mix in just fine in solid form.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.

Coat a large bowl with oil, place dough in bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

Let rise at least 2 hours or place in refrigerator overnight.

Pour about 3 inches of oil in a Dutch oven and heat to 350 degrees.

Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut 2-inch squares. (This is easy to do with a pizza cutter.)

Working about 4 at a time, place in oil and fry, flipping continuously until they are golden brown.

Test one to make sure it is cooked through. Drain on paper towels and coat with powdered sugar.