Want something sweet and fluffy? If you like donuts, you’ll love French beignets!

These light, fluffy, and crispy pastries are a great treat, and when you add vanilla, they smell great and make you want more. This recipe will show you how to make delicious Vanilla French Beignets directly in your own kitchen, step by step. Read on to learn how to make these delicious treats and wow your family and friends with your baking skills.

About Vanilla French Beignets

Small, square, or round pieces of dough that are deep-fried till they are golden brown and then coated with powdered sugar are called vanilla French beignets. They are from France, and in the United States, they are a popular breakfast or snack food in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Beignets are like donuts, but they are lighter and melt in your mouth. Adding vanilla to the batter makes these beignets taste even better. The sweetness is subtle yet fragrant, and it goes nicely with the light dough.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of heated water (around 110°F)
• 1 packet of active dry yeast (2 ¼ tablespoons)
• ¼ cup sugar in granules
• One big egg
• 1/2 cup of evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• Two tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• Oil for frying vegetables
• Sugar powder (for dusting)

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

If you don’t have all the items you need or want to make the recipe your own, here are some more things you can use instead:

• Instead of evaporated milk, you can use full milk, almond milk, or even coconut milk for a distinct taste. The texture might change a little, but the end result will still be tasty.
• If you want to make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour mix instead of the all-purpose flour. To keep the texture the same, be sure to choose one that is made for baking.
• If you want to cut down on sugar, you can use a sugar substitute like Stevia, Monk fruit, or erythritol. Remember that the level of sweetness may be a little different.
• Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a little lemon zest to the dough to change the vanilla flavor. You may also fill the beignets with chocolate or fruit preserves for a rich dessert.

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

1. Start the yeast: In a small basin, mix the warm water, yeast, and a little sugar. Stir it gently and let it sit for about five minutes, or until it gets frothy and bubbly. This means that the yeast is alive and ready to use.
2. Mix the wet ingredients: In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, evaporated milk, vanilla essence, and melted butter until everything is thoroughly blended. The butter should not be too hot, because it could fry the egg.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a another bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and salt. As you add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, whisk them in. You can knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer with a dough hook.
4. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes, or until it is smooth and stretchy, after all the ingredients are mixed together. You can add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, if the dough is too sticky.
5. First Rise: Put the dough in a greased basin, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm location for about 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until it is twice as big.
6. Spread Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, move it to a floured surface and spread it out until it is approximately 14 inches thick. Cut the dough into squares that are 2 inches across using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
7. Get the Oil Hot: In a big, deep pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Check the temperature of the oil; if it’s too hot or too cold, the beignets won’t cook evenly.
8. Fry the Beignets: Carefully put a few pieces of dough into the hot oil. To keep the pot from getting too full, fry them in groups. Fry them for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and puffy. Take them out with a slotted spoon and put them on a dish lined with paper towels to soak up the extra oil.
9. Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar: After the beignets have cooled a bit, sprinkle a lot of powdered sugar on top of them. You can add more flavor by sifting some cinnamon into the powdered sugar mix.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Checking the Oil Temperature: One of the most typical blunders is frying the beignets at the improper temperature. Check that the oil is between 350°F and 360°F. If the temperature is too high, the beignets will burn on the exterior but stay raw on the inside. If they get too chilly, they will soak up too much oil and becoming greasy.
• Overcrowding the Fryer: Putting in too many beignets at once might lower the oil temperature, which makes them fry unevenly. For optimal results, fry in small groups.
• Skipping the First Rise: To make light, fluffy beignets, the dough has to rise. If you rush this stage, the pastries will be hefty and dense.
• Kneading the dough too much: Kneading the dough is crucial for making gluten, but if you do it too much, the beignets will be tough and chewy.

Serving Suggestions

When serving Vanilla French Beignets, less is more. Serve them warm, just out of the fryer, and with a lot of powdered sugar on top. These beignets are great for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. For a true New Orleans experience, drink them with a hot cup of coffee or a creamy café au lait.

• Put the beignets on a big plate and stack them high to make them look more appealing.
• To make the taste even better, serve a range of dipping sauces on the side, like melted chocolate, caramel, or fruit compote.
• Serve beignets with chicory coffee, a New Orleans drink, for a more authentic touch.

Presentation Tips

• Use a fine mesh sieve to sprinkle powdered sugar on the beignets to give them a smooth, snow-like coating.
• For a cute, café-like look, put them on a plate with an old-fashioned design or a rustic wooden board.
• Add some fresh berries or mint leaves on the platter to make it look more colorful and elegant.

Tips for Best Results and Storage

• Let the dough rise in the fridge overnight for a stronger flavor. The dough will taste better if you let it rise for longer.
• Before adding the yeast to the dough, check to see if it is fresh and active. Yeast that has gone bad won’t rise correctly and can make your beignets taste bad.
• If you wish to warm up the beignets, put them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Do not use the microwave because it can make the beignets soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it possible to create beignets in advance?
   Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and put it in the fridge overnight. Let the dough come to room temperature before you fry it.
2. What is the best way to keep leftover beignets?
   You should eat beignets right away, but you can keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. Use an oven instead of a microwave to keep the food crispy when you reheat it.
3. Is it possible to freeze beignets?
   You may freeze fried beignets for up to two months. If you want to eat them again, put them in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Why are my beignets oily?
   This could be because you fried them in oil that wasn’t hot enough. To keep the beignets from getting greasy, make sure the oil is at the right temperature (350°F).
5. Is it possible to add fillings to my beignets?
   Of course! For a more decadent treat, you can fill the beignets with chocolate, pastry cream, or fruit preserves.

Summary and Final Thoughts

Vanilla French beignets are a delicious and easy delicacy that delivers a flavor of French culture right into your house. They are the perfect treat for any time of day since they are light and fluffy, taste like vanilla, and have a crunchy outside that is covered in powdered sugar. If you follow this step-by-step method, you’ll be able to make perfect beignets that will wow everyone who eats them. Don’t be scared to try out different versions and serve them with your favorite drinks for a very special treat. Have fun baking!

Alternate Vanilla French Beignets Recipe

This recipe for Vanilla French Beignets makes soft, fluffy pastries with a nice vanilla flavor. These beignets are easy to make and are fried till golden brown and then covered in a sweet vanilla glaze. They are easy to make and taste great, making them great for breakfast or dessert. Vanilla French Beignets, quick French pastries, breakfast beignets, and fried doughnuts are some of the things that come to mind.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ tsp of dry yeast that is active
• ¾ cup of water that is warm
• ¼ cup of sugar that has been granulated
• Two big eggs
• 1/2 cup of whole milk
• 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Four cups of all-purpose flour
• A little bit of salt
• Oil for frying
• Sugar in powder form for dusting

Instructions

1. Mix a little sugar into warm water and add the yeast. Wait five minutes, or until foamy.
2. Mix the sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla essence together in a big bowl.
3. Add the flour and salt a little at a time, stirring until you have a dough. Knead until the dough is smooth.
4. Put the dough in a warm location for one to two hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. On a surface that has been floured, roll out the dough until it is about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into circles or squares.
6. Put oil in a deep fryer or pot and heat it to 350°F. Fry the beignets for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown.
7. Take out and let drain on paper towels. Before serving, sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

Additional Tips

• You can create the dough the night before and put it in the fridge, where it will rise slowly overnight.
• Add a little more vanilla or a pinch of nutmeg to make the flavor stronger.

Nutritional Information

• One beignet is a serving size.
• 180 calories
• 8 grams of sugar
• 80mg of sodium