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Fluffy Café du Monde Copycat New Orleans Beignets Recipe Easy Homemade Guide

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This recipe recreates the iconic fluffy and airy beignets from Café du Monde in New Orleans, featuring a simple dough and frying method to achieve the perfect golden, pillowy treats dusted with powdered sugar.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons or 7 grams) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water (about 110°F/43°C) with active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Stir gently and let sit until foamy and bubbly, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients: While yeast activates, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, salt, and optional nutmeg or cinnamon in a separate bowl.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: Warm milk and melt butter. Lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl.
  4. Make the dough: Add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Slowly add flour mixture, stirring until sticky dough forms. Knead with stand mixer dough hook for 5 minutes or by hand on floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. First rise: Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  6. Shape the beignets: Punch down dough, roll out on floured surface to ¼ inch thickness, and cut into 2-inch squares.
  7. Second rise: Place squares on floured baking sheet, cover lightly, and let puff up for 30 minutes.
  8. Heat oil: Heat vegetable oil in deep pot or fryer to 360°F (182°C), maintaining temperature with a thermometer.
  9. Fry the beignets: Fry 3-4 pieces at a time until puffed and golden brown, about 1 to 1½ minutes per side. Use slotted spoon to flip and remove.
  10. Drain and dust: Transfer beignets to paper towels to drain excess oil. While warm, dust generously with powdered sugar using a sifter.
  11. Serve immediately with coffee or favorite hot drink.

Notes

Proof yeast properly to ensure dough rises well. Maintain oil temperature at 360°F to avoid greasy or undercooked beignets. Fry in small batches and dust powdered sugar while beignets are still warm. For sticky dough during shaping, lightly dust hands with flour but avoid adding too much flour to keep beignets light.

Nutrition

Keywords: beignets, New Orleans, Café du Monde, fried dough, powdered sugar, copycat recipe, fluffy beignets, homemade beignets, Cajun dessert

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/fluffy-caf-e-du-monde-copycat-new-orleans-beignets-recipe-easy-homemade-guide/