Beignets
Ingredients
¾ cup water, warm at 110 degrees Fahrenheit
¼ cup sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
1 egg
½ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ½ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar for dusting
Steps
Add ¾ cup of warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer
Measure in ¼ cup of sugar and 2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes
Pour in the milk, vanilla extract, and egg
Mix together using the paddle attachment of the mixer
Add the salt and about half of the flour, mixing until smooth
Switch the mixer attachment for the dough hook and add the remaining flour
Begin mixing on medium speed
Once the dough comes together, add the butter and keep mixing until the dough is smooth and will pull away from the sides of the bowl
Transfer the dough to a greased (heat safe) bowl and cover with tin foil
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and turn the oven off
Place the covered bowl in the warm oven and let the dough rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size
Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a ½ inch thick rectangle on a well floured surface
Cut into 2 ½ inch squares using a sharp knife or pizza cutter
Lay out the cut dough on a parchment paper lined tray and lightly cover with a damp tea towel
While the beignets are resting, heat the oil to 360 degrees Fahrenheit
If using a large pot or dutch oven, fill with enough oil to be 2 to 3 inches high
If using a deep fryer, fill with enough oil per the appliance recommendations
Working in small batches, carefully drop each square into the oil and let it get golden brown on each side, about 2 minutes per side
Remove the fried beignets from the oil and drain on a paper-towel lined plate
Once slightly cooled, dust the beignets liberally with powdered sugar and serve immediately
