Vanilla French Beignets
Indulge in the delightful flavors of New Orleans with these Vanilla French Beignets. These light and fluffy fried pastries are dusted with powdered sugar, making them the perfect sweet treat for any time of day.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm water around 110°F
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Frying
- Vegetable oil for frying
For Dusting
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Whisk together egg, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth. Add more flour if sticky.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
- Transfer the risen dough to a floured surface and roll it out to ¼ inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch squares.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a large pot.
- Fry the dough squares in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Once cooled, dust the beignets with powdered sugar. Optional: sift in cinnamon for extra flavor.
Notes
For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg to the powdered sugar before dusting. Be sure to serve these beignets fresh and warm for the best texture and taste.