Costas French Market Doughnuts (Beignets)

Try this traditional recipe for Costas French Market doughnuts (beignets). These tender pillow-like doughnuts taste like those at New Orleans Cafe du Monde.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 503 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.5 cup sugar
• 0.25 cup shortening
• 7.5 cups flour
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Pour 1/2 cup room temperature water into a small bowl; sprinkle yeast over water and let stand to dissolve, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Combine sugar, shortening, and salt in a large bowl; pour 1 cup boiling water over shortening mixture, then stir in evaporated milk. Cool mixture down until lukewarm, then add yeast mixture and beaten eggs.

Step 3

Slowly mix in flour until dough forms a ball. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 4

Working with a small portion (a little larger than a baseball) at a time, roll out dough until 1/8-inch thick. Cut dough into strips 2- to 3-inches wide, then cut at an angle in opposite direction, making diamond shapes.

Step 5

Heat oil in a deep, wide, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Step 6

Lower dough diamonds carefully into the hot oil in batches. Fry until puffed and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully transfer to a rack with paper towels underneath to drain; cool until you can handle them.

Step 7

Place beignets in a clean paper bag with confectioners' sugar; shake gently until covered generously, or use a sifter to dust beignets with confectioners' sugar.