About
Springtime is on the way all over the United States, including in the Big Easy. And that means their signature doughnuts are getting a makeover in time with the season! Easy Springtime Berry Beignets makes the deep-fried, delightful puffs of sweetness and sugar a simple matter of making the dough and letting it turn golden-brown! Sprinkled with a dusting of powdered sugar and the classic spring combination of berries and cream, Easy Springtime Berry Beignets welcome the warmer weather with a burst of color and joy!
Ingredients
- For the beignets:
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water, 120-130 degrees F, divided
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 (.25-ounce) package quick-rise yeast
- 1 large egg
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more, to taste, for dusting a work surface
- neutral oil, to taste
- Optional, for serving:
- confectioners' sugar, to taste
- berries, optional, to taste, of your choice
- whipped cream, to taste
Directions
Step 1 -In a bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, the sugar, the salt, and the cinnamon together until crumbly.
Step 2 -Beat 1/2 cup of the warm water and the evaporated milk into the butter mixture.
Step 3 -In another bowl dissolve the yeast in the remaining 2 tablespoons of the water and allow it to bloom, about 5 minutes.
Step 4 -Add the yeast mixture to the milk mixture.
Step 5 -Beat the egg into the dough mixture until it is blended.
Step 6 -Add 2 cups of the flour to the dough mixture and mix until it is well-blended.
Step 7 -Stir enough of the remaining 1 3/4 cups of the flour into the dough mixture until a soft, sticky dough forms. You may not need all of the remaining flour.
Step 8 -Place the dough in a greased bowl and turn it over once to ensure both sides are covered in the grease.
Step 9 -Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Step 10 -Bring the dough to room temperature.
Step 11 -Using the extra flour, lightly dust a work surface.
Step 12 -Turn the dough out onto the prepared work surface and roll it out into a 16x12-inch rectangle.
Step 13 -Cut the dough rectangle into 2-inch squares.
Step 14 -In a deep cast-iron skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat the oil to 375 degrees F.
Step 15 -Carefully drop the dough squares into the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until they are golden-brown, about 1 minute per side.
Step 16 -Drain the beignets on paper towels.
Step 17 -Dust the beignets with the confectioners' sugar and serve with the berries and the whipped cream.
