Save Festive, light, and fluffy beignets shaped and decorated like Christmas ornaments—perfect for holiday celebrations and treats.
This recipe has become a holiday favorite in my family, bringing joy and sweetness to our celebrations every year.
Ingredients
- Dough: 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast, 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C), 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs room temperature, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Frying: 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- Decoration: 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 4 tablespoons milk, Food coloring (red, green, blue, gold, silver, etc.), Assorted festive sprinkles and edible pearls
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2:
- Whisk in sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Step 3:
- Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled about 1 hour.
- Step 4:
- Roll dough out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into rounds using a 2-inch cutter. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Step 5:
- Place rounds on parchment-lined trays. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Step 6:
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry beignets in batches for 2 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and cool.
- Step 7:
- Mix powdered sugar and milk to make a smooth spreadable icing. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- Step 8:
- Dip or spread icing over cooled beignets. Decorate with sprinkles and edible pearls to resemble Christmas ornaments. Let set before serving.
Save Making these beignets brings my family together each holiday season, sharing laughter and sweet memories over every bite.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowl rolling pin 2-inch round cutter deep fryer or heavy pot slotted spoon parchment paper cooling rack
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (wheat) eggs and dairy (milk butter) Check decorations and food coloring for allergen traces Always verify ingredient labels for allergen safety
Nutritional Information
Calories 175 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 25 g Protein 3 g per beignet
Save These beignets are a delightful holiday treat that bring festive joy with every bite.
Recipe FAQ Section
- → What is the best way to achieve fluffy beignets?
Use fresh yeast and allow the dough to rise properly to develop lightness. Kneading until smooth and giving the dough two rises ensures fluffiness.
- → How do I get the beignets golden and crispy when frying?
Maintain oil temperature at around 350°F (175°C) and fry in small batches to prevent temperature drops, resulting in crispy, golden beignets.
- → Can I use other colors for decoration?
Absolutely! The icing can be tinted with various food colorings to create vibrant festive ornament designs.
- → What can I add to enhance the dough’s flavor?
Try adding orange zest or a pinch of cinnamon for a warm, aromatic twist to the dough.
- → How long should the dough rise before frying?
The dough should rise until doubled in size, approximately one hour, and then after cutting, rise again for about 20 minutes for best texture.
- → Are there any tips for decorating beignets neatly?
Using piping bags for the icing helps create precise and intricate designs on each ornament-shaped beignet.