Mardi Gras Beignets Chocolate (Printable version)
Light, airy beignets paired with a luscious chocolate sauce, perfect for festive celebrations or sweet indulgence.
# What you need:
→ Beignets
01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
05 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
06 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - Vegetable oil, for frying
10 - 1 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
→ Chocolate Dipping Sauce
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 3.5 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
13 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
14 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt
# How To:
01 - Combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until mixture becomes foamy, indicating yeast activation.
02 - Whisk eggs, melted butter, salt, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
03 - Gradually add flour to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
05 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on a floured surface to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch squares using a knife or pastry cutter.
06 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F. Fry beignets in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
07 - Generously coat warm beignets with powdered sugar, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
08 - Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Remove from heat immediately and add chopped chocolate, butter, vanilla, and salt. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until silky smooth.
09 - Arrange warm, sugar-dusted beignets on a serving plate alongside the warm chocolate dipping sauce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The dough comes together faster than you expect, and the rise time is perfect for catching up on laundry or scrolling through your phone
- Frying beignets fills your whole house with that irresistible carnival scent that makes neighbors wish they were invited over
- The chocolate dipping sauce transforms these from already amazing to absolutely unforgettable
02 -
- Oil temperature matters. Too cool and beignets get greasy. Too hot and they burn outside while staying raw inside.
- Do not skip the dusting step while they are warm. Cold beignets do not hold powdered sugar nearly as well.
- The dough should be handled gently. Overworking it makes tough beignets instead of tender ones.
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate more easily and create a better texture
- A bench scraper helps lift and move the dough squares without distorting their shape