Simple Beignets Recipe

Ingredients

1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water, about 110ºF
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 large egg
1/2 cup whole milk
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 quarts canola oil, plus more to oil bowl
Confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

Directions

I didn't have time to make my own jam as the original recipe calls for, but these lemon zest- and nutmeg-flecked beignets still threw a Mardi Gras-scale party in my mouth. Don't be afraid to get creative with the toppings!

1. Mix the yeast, water, and sugar in a mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook. Let stand until foamy, about five minutes. Add the salt, lemon zest, nutmeg, egg, milk, and 1 1/2 cups flour; mix on medium speed until combined. Add the butter; mix until incorporated. Add 1 3/4 cups flour, and mix until the dough comes together. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in the remaining 1/4 cup flour by hand until the dough is smooth, about five minutes.
2. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about one hour. Remove the dough from the bowl and punch down. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out circles with a one-inch round cutter; place on a floured baking sheet. Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 30 minutes.
3. Heat the oil in a medium pot or deep fryer until it registers 350ºF on a deep-fry thermometer. Fry the beignets in batches, rolling them around constantly with a slotted spoon, until golden brown all over, one to two minutes. Transfer the beignets with the slotted spoon to a platter lined with paper towels and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Makes about five dozen beignets.

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