Why Make This Recipe
Vanilla French Beignets are a delightful treat that brings a taste of French cafés right into your home. Their light, fluffy texture and rich vanilla flavor make them irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, these beignets are sure to impress family and friends. Plus, they are fun to make and can be enjoyed fresh out of the fryer while they are still warm and dusted with powdered sugar.
How to Make Vanilla French Beignets
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 6 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
- Warm the milk to 110 degrees F and stir in the yeast along with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy to activate the yeast.
- Add the remaining sugar, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, stirring after each addition until you form a soft, slightly sticky dough that pulls away from the bowl.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about half an inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into 3-inch squares, making about 20 squares in total. Let the squares rest for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep pot to 360 degrees F.
- Fry 3 to 4 beignets at a time for about 2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and puffed up, flipping them once.
- Remove the fried beignets with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.
- Dust the warm beignets generously with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
How to Serve Vanilla French Beignets
Serve Vanilla French Beignets warm, dusted with powdered sugar. They can be enjoyed plain or with a side of fruit preserves, chocolate sauce, or whipped cream for dipping. A cup of coffee or tea pairs nicely with these sweet treats.
How to Store Vanilla French Beignets
If you have leftover beignets, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week. To reheat, simply pop them in a toaster oven for a few minutes until warm.
Tips to Make Vanilla French Beignets
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
- Let the dough rise in a warm environment to ensure it doubles in size.
- Fry only a few beignets at a time to prevent lowering the oil temperature too much.
- Dust the beignets with powdered sugar right before serving for the best presentation and taste.
Variation
For a twist on the classic flavor, try adding lemon zest or orange zest to the dough for a citrusy flavor. You can also dip the beignets in a chocolate glaze instead of dusting them with powdered sugar for a different treat.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of flour?
Yes, you can experiment with different flours, but all-purpose flour works best for achieving that light and fluffy texture.
2. How can I make beignets without frying?
If you prefer a healthier version, you can bake the beignets at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes. They won’t have the same texture as fried beignets, but they will still be delicious.
3. Can I freeze beignets?
Yes, you can freeze beignets! Freeze them before frying, then fry directly from frozen for fresh, hot beignets whenever you want. Just increase the frying time slightly.
Enjoy making and sharing these delicious Vanilla French Beignets!
Vanilla French Beignets
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the milk to 110 degrees F and stir in the yeast along with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy to activate the yeast.
- Add the remaining sugar, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, stirring after each addition until you form a soft, slightly sticky dough that pulls away from the bowl.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about half an inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into 3-inch squares, making about 20 squares in total. Let the squares rest for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep pot to 360 degrees F.
- Fry 3 to 4 beignets at a time for about 2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and puffed up, flipping them once.
- Remove the fried beignets with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.
- Dust the warm beignets generously with powdered sugar and serve immediately.