Beignet Recipe

Here's a wonderfully tasty recipe for a Cajun dessert. Beignet is Cajun French for "French Doughnut".

This recipe makes 50 servings. You may half the recipe by using 1/2 the listed ingredients, except the yeast. Do not half the yeast. Use 2 packages.

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup shortening
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup boiling water
* 1 cup evaporated milk
* 2 packages yeast
* 1/4 cup warm water
* 2 eggs, well beaten * 6 1/2 cup plain flour
* oil for frying, as needed (canola or peanut oil suggested)
* powdered sugar as needed, optional

Directions

1. Cream together shortening, sugar, and salt.
2. Add one cup boiling water and one cup milk. Set aside.
3. Mix yeast well in 1/4 cup warm water. Add this and beaten eggs to the mixture and mix well.
4. Add 3 1/2 cups flour and beat with spoon. Add the remaining 3 cups of flour and mix. Put the dough in a greased covered container in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Heat oil in deep pot (or use deep fryer) to 360 degrees F.
6. While oil heats, roll out dough 1/4 inch thick and cut into 3 inch squares with a knife. Use knife to cut 1/2 inch slit in the middle of each square.
7. Fry in deep oil until golden brown on both sides.
7. Powdered sugar may be sprinkled on top. Drain on paper towels.
Dough may be kept in refrigerator for 3 or 4 days and used as needed.