Buttermilk Beignets Recipes

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
• Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. If beignets do not pop up, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels.
• Shake confectioners' sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.

BUTTERMILK BEER BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
• Pour in buttermilk, then pour in beer. Gently fold in with a baking spatula. DO NOT WHISK. A whisk will introduce too much air into the dough, which will make the beignets too tough.
• The temperature of the batter is important! Refrigerate 30 minutes before frying. The beignet will come out more airy and less dense if the batter is, as Foreigner reminds us, "cold as ice."
• When the beignets are ready to fry, bring a pot of oil up to 350°F over medium-high heat. Scoop up the dough with an ice cream scoop, drop in the pot of oil, and fry for about 4 1/2 to 5 minutes, constantly turning until the dough is a light golden brown.
• To sure the beignets are cooked through, stick them with a long skewer. The skewer should be clean when you remove it. If it's not, continue to fry.
• Remove and shake off excess oil, then set aside.