I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday than by making your own homemade, fresh beignets! If you’ve ever had one, you know just how amazing these little babies are. If you don’t happen to be in New Orleans or at the Walt Disney World Resort right now to enjoy one of these morsels of deliciousness, have no fear as you can make your own with this recipe below.
BEIGNETS
Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Yields 2 dozen small beignets
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (105º)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Powdered sugar
DIRECTIONS:
- Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Combine sugar, shortening, salt, heavy cream, egg, flour and boiling water in a large bowl; stir in yeast mixture. With the dough hook attachment of an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the dough just until combined and smooth. Let dough rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and cut individual beignets into 2 x 3-inch pieces. Cover with a towel and let dough rise until doubled in size in a warm, draft-free area, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Pour enough oil into a deep-sided pot until it reaches 2 inches up sides; heat oil over medium heat to 350°F.
- Lightly press beignets to flatten slightly.
- Add a few beignets to oil; fry until golden brown on both sides, turning
once. - Remove from hot oil with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Dust with a generous amount of confectioners’ sugar before serving.
There is only one little thing I’d change about this recipe. Even though the beignets at Sassagoula are square, in number three where it says to cut individual beignets into 2 x 3-inch pieces, I would take out my handy-dandy Mickey Mouse-shaped egg ring and Mickey-shaped beignets instead! Who’s with me?
If you make these, we’d love it if you shared photos with us here in the comments or on our Facebook page.
If you want to add a little touch of Disneyland to your “Big Easy” experience today, check out this video below where Pete shares how to make the famous Mint Julep that’s served in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square where the beignets are actually served in the shape of Mickey!
Photo/recipe source: Disney Parks Blog
Senior Editor for the DIS and DCL Fan | Disney Vacation Club Member | Thrilled to have been a '13/'14 Disney Parks Moms Panelist (now planDisney) | Lover of all things Disney; the Magic of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line | ºoº
