Mardi Gras Beignets: A Delicious Taste of New Orleans in Your Kitchen!

Mardi Gras Beignets: A Delicious Taste of New Orleans in Your Kitchen!

Bucket of Bread

Experience a Taste of New Orleans with this Easy-to-Follow, Crispy, Fluffy, and Delicious Beignet Recipe

Facts about Beignets:

Beignets, a beloved pastry hailing from New Orleans, are a delicious treat that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. But did you know that these deep-fried delights have a rich history and cultural significance?

The origins of beignets can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where a similar fried pastry was enjoyed by Pharaohs and commoners alike. The word “beignet” itself is French for “fritter,” which perfectly describes the deliciously crispy exterior and fluffy interior of this beloved treat.

In the 18th century, French settlers brought the recipe for beignets to the French colony of Louisiana. It quickly became a staple food in the state and was enjoyed by people of all backgrounds. Beignets were originally served as a breakfast food, but today they can be enjoyed at any time of day.

Fresh Beignets from Bucket of Bread

A Famous Spot

One of the most famous places to enjoy beignets is Café Du Monde, a coffee shop in New Orleans that has been serving beignets and coffee since 1862. The café is open 24 hours a day and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Beignets are traditionally made with a simple dough.  Now you can use Bucket of Bread brand clean ingredient dough mix to make wonderful and easy beignets. Once rolled out, cut into squares, and deep-fried until golden brown, they are dusted with powdered sugar and served hot.  Typically you’ll enjoy a cup of coffee or chicory coffee or cafe’ au lait (milk coffee). 

But beignets are not just limited to the traditional powdered sugar topping. Some places now offer a variety of toppings such as chocolate, fruit, and even savory options like bacon and cheese. 

Feeling like you should get creative this Mardi Gras season?  Share a comment on what kind of creation you came up with and why it is the best!

In 1983, beignets were designated the official state doughnut of Louisiana. And in 2014, the National Beignet Day was created and celebrated on January 2nd every year.

Eating a beignet is a true taste of New Orleans and its rich culture. These deep-fried pastries are not only delicious but also have a long history and cultural significance. Whether you’re visiting the city or just craving a sweet treat, be sure to try a beignet and experience a piece of New Orleans history.

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Ingredients

Your favorite Bucket of Bread Brand Dough (We used the Traditional White).

*Save a tablespoon of the mix before adding water and use that when forming your dough on the countertop to help prevent sticking. 

*Want a stiffer dough? Use a little less water than the directions show. Try 1 1/4 cup of water instead of what the bucket instructions show for a bag!

1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar How ever many you make, you're just sprinkling some sugar on the finished product. Use as much as you'd like.

Deep fat fryer or deep pan with vegetable oil.

1 Bar Milk Chocolate optional twist inside your beignet
1 Tbsp Strawberry Syrup optional topping or dip to add
1 Tbsp Raspberry Syrup optional topping or dip to add

Instructions

1.  Prepare a deep fat fryer with vegetable oil. If you don't have one of these, you may use a deep pan. You'll need a thermometer to check the temperatures. 

2. Grab a handful of dough. 

3. Roll out the dough but not too thin. You want it about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

4. Cut some squares. These don't have to be even, neat, perfect or anything. Just make them about the size you want for your beignets. The size recommended is roughly 3x3 inches.

Consider using some milk chocolate in the middle. Just roll it over itself and seal the little bit inside. Then at the end they are just a sweet and delicious ooey gooey treat!

Chocolate Stuffed Beignets

5. Whatever you choose to do, whether it plain or chocolatey, just prepare your dough bits and let the oil heat up to 360-375 F.


6. Don't make too many at once. You don't want to crowd them. After a few minutes the dough will float. Cook it on each side for about 2-3 minutes. You'll then have a nice color to your beignets.

Frying Fresh Beignets

7. Carefully, transfer these to paper towels so as to soak up some of the oil.

8. Sprinkle with powdered sugar as soon as these are out of the fryer.

Someone from New Orleans told me the best advice for beignets from folks there is not to sneeze before eating them. So, feel free to put on a hefty sprinkle of sugar!
Sprinkling Sugar on Beignets
9. These should be eaten as close to having been made as possible.
10. They have a crispy exterior and a fluffy, doughy interior, and are often accompanied by a cup of coffee or chicory coffee. The taste is a sweet, doughy, and slightly fried flavor.

What if you drizzled these with raspberry or strawberry syrups? Just a thought...

Raspberry Drizzle on Beignets

For a ton More Recipes

Visit the recipe section at BUCKETOFBREAD.COM!

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