Fluffy Vanilla French Beignets Recipe: Sweet Homemade Joy

Sweet and pillowy, these homemade vanilla French beignets dance with powdered sugar in a delightful culinary celebration.

Originating from New Orleans, the classic French beignets capture the heart of indulgent pastry traditions.

Soft dough infused with rich vanilla creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience that transports you to charming café streets.

The delicate squares puff up beautifully when fried, creating golden-edged treats that sparkle with a generous snowfall of confectioners’ sugar.

Each bite promises a crisp exterior giving way to a tender, cloud-like interior that whispers pure comfort.

These beignets turn an ordinary morning into a luxurious breakfast moment or a delectable dessert that sings with sweet simplicity.

Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe that promises to make your kitchen smell like a French bakery.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Vanilla French Beignets Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundational structure for light, airy beignets with perfect texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps activate yeast for soft, pillowy results.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical ingredient that creates delightful rise and airy texture in traditional French pastry.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the beignets.

• Whole Milk: Delivers rich creaminess and helps create tender, soft dough with smooth consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings luxurious richness and delicate flavor to the beignet dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic depth and classic French pastry essence.

• Powdered Sugar: Classic dusting that creates beautiful white coating and adds delicate sweetness.
• Vegetable Oil: Perfect for deep-frying, ensuring crispy golden exterior with even cooking temperature.

Frying Tools for Vanilla French Beignets

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending milk, butter, and vanilla extract without lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure delicious beignets every time.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out dough evenly for perfect square shapes.
• Sharp Knife or Pizza Cutter: Ideal for cutting uniform 2×2 inch beignet squares.
• Deep Fryer or Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Crucial for maintaining consistent oil temperature and frying.
• Slotted Spoon or Spider Strainer: Great for safely removing beignets from hot oil.
• Cooling Rack: Allows excess oil to drip off fried beignets.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: Helps dust beignets with powdered sugar evenly.

How to Prepare Classic Vanilla Beignets

• Flour Fusion Prep

Gather essential baking companions in a spacious mixing vessel, blending delicate powdery elements with care and precision.

• Liquid Magic

Warm milk transforms into a silky dance partner with butter and fragrant vanilla, whisking together a symphony of moisture.

• Dough Awakening

Gently marry dry and liquid worlds, coaxing ingredients into a tender, cohesive embrace that signals the start of culinary adventure.

• Tender Touch

Caress the emerging dough on a softly floured landscape, kneading with rhythmic movements until a smooth, elastic personality emerges.

• Restful Transformation

Nestle the dough in a cozy, greased sanctuary, allowing it to expand and breathe, developing complex flavors and airy texture.

• Crispy Canvas

Roll out the pillowy creation and slice into playful geometric shapes, preparing for their golden destiny.

• Oil Ballet

Submerge delicate squares into a shimmering hot bath, watching them transform into crisp, puffy clouds of delight.

• Sweet Finale

Shower the freshly fried treasures with a snowfall of powdered sugar, creating a dreamy New Orleans-inspired treat ready to enchant taste buds.

Variations & Tricks for Dreamy Beignets

• Use a candy thermometer to maintain consistent 360°F oil, ensuring crispy golden exteriors without burning or undercooking the delicate pastry.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar, drizzle chocolate sauce, or add fruit compote alongside traditional powdered sugar for gourmet presentation and unexpected flavor combinations.
• Rest the dough for an extra 15 minutes after cutting squares to help them puff up more dramatically during frying, creating lighter, airier beignets.
• Prepare dough one day in advance and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to develop and simplifying your morning cooking process for stress-free entertaining.

Serving Up Vanilla Beignets with Flair

• Pair with Hot Beverages: Serve these crispy, pillowy beignets alongside a steaming cup of espresso or café au lait for an authentic New Orleans breakfast experience.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange beignets with fresh berries, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream for an elegant and indulgent sweet treat perfect for entertaining guests.
• Enjoy as Afternoon Snack: Break up the beignets into smaller pieces and share with friends during a cozy gathering, complemented by a light dipping sauce like caramel or raspberry coulis.
• Host a Brunch Celebration: Present these warm, sugar-dusted delights as the star of a weekend brunch, accompanied by fresh fruit salad and mimosas for a delightful morning feast.

Storing Beignets the Right Way

• Maximize Freshness: Store beignets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, keeping them crisp and delightful.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Wrap cooled beignets in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container, lasting 3-4 days in the refrigerator without losing their soft texture.
• Freeze for Later: Layer beignets between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, maintaining quality for 2-3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and reheat briefly in the oven to restore crispiness.
• Revive Leftover Magic: Warm refrigerated or frozen beignets in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, bringing back their original golden crunch and warmth.

Fluffy Vanilla French Beignets Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Delectable Beignets from France showcase classic pastry craftsmanship with pillowy fried dough. Powdered sugar dusting and rich vanilla notes create a sweet Parisian street treat you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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• 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups (591 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (237 ml) warm milk
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• ½ tsp salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

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Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Mixture: Blend flour, sugar, active dry yeast, and salt thoroughly in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution using a whisk.
2. Create Liquid Base: Warm milk to 110°F, then merge with melted butter and vanilla extract, whisking until perfectly integrated.
3. Form Dough: Gradually combine liquid ingredients with dry mixture, stirring consistently to develop a smooth, pliable dough without dry spots.
4. Develop Texture: Knead dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes, transforming it into a silky, elastic consistency with well-developed gluten structure.
5. First Fermentation: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm location until volume doubles (roughly 1.5 hours).
6. Shape and Prepare: Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness, cut into uniform 2×2 inch squares, and prepare for frying by heating vegetable oil to 360°F.
7. Fry to Perfection: Gently lower dough squares into hot oil, cooking in small batches until achieving a uniform golden-brown color, about 1-2 minutes per side.
8. Final Touch: Drain beignets on paper towels, then lavishly coat with powdered sugar while still warm, ensuring complete coverage.

Notes

• Precise Temperature Control: Maintain exact 360°F oil temperature for perfect golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking beignets.
• Dough Hydration Technique: Ensure consistent moisture by gradually incorporating liquid ingredients, preventing dry patches or uneven texture.
• Kneading for Gluten Development: Methodically knead dough for 8-10 minutes to create smooth, elastic consistency crucial for light, airy beignets.
• Resting and Rising Strategy: Allow dough to rise in warm, draft-free area until volume doubles, developing rich flavor and tender texture.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg