New Orlean's Style Beignets

Total Time: 1 hr
Preparation Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4 ounce) packet active dry yeast


• 3/4 cup water, hot


• 1/4 cup granulated sugar


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1 egg, beaten


• 1/2 cup evaporated milk


• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


• 1/8 cup shortening


• vegetable oil


• powdered sugar

Recipe

• 1 combine yeast, hot water, and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.


• 2 let this sit until frothy, about 5 minutes.


• 3 add the salt, egg, and evaporated milk. mix on low speed, then add half of the flour until it starts to come together.


• 4 add the shortening.


• 5 when the shortening is incorporated start adding the remaining flour, a little at a time.


• 6 turn the dough onto a floured bench to finish by hand. knead the dough adding just enough flour as necessary to make a non-sticky, smooth dough. place the dough into a large oiled bowl, loosely cover and let rise overnight in the refrigerator.


• 7 after the dough has doubled in bulk, punch it down and turn it onto a floured surface and roll out into a rectangle that is about 1/2" thick.


• 8 with a very sharp knife working at a diagonal, cut into 2" wide strips. now cut into diamond shapes by making diagonal cuts in the opposite direction. these will be the beignets.


• 9 place beignets on a floured baking sheet to let rise about 40 minutes in a warm place.


• 10 when the beignets have risen, heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large saucepan.


• 11 carefully place 2-3 beignets into the hot oil at a time.


• 12 when they are golden brown, flip them over until golden brown on the other side.


• 13 remove to paper towel lined plates to drain.


• 14 serve hot topped with plenty of powdered sugar.