Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory recently reopened after being reimagined. Though several new tastes of New Orleans were added, the famous beignets, which are made in-house daily, are still the most popular item on the menu! If you can’t visit Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter to celebrate Mardi Gras with King Cake, Po’ Boys and Jambalaya, get a taste of the “Big Easy” with a piping hot batch of delicious beignets with the recipe below.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

BEIGNETS
Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Yields 2 dozen small beignets

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water (105º)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 egg
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  2. Combine sugar, shortening, salt, heavy cream, egg, flour and boiling water in a large bowl; stir in yeast mixture. With the dough hook attachment of an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the dough just until combined and smooth. Let dough rest for 30 minutes.
  3. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and cut individual beignets into 2 x 3-inch pieces. Cover with a towel and let dough rise until doubled in size in a warm, draft-free area, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  4. Pour enough oil into a deep-sided pot until it reaches 2 inches up sides; heat oil over medium heat to 350°F.
  5. Lightly press beignets to flatten slightly.
  6. Add a few beignets to oil; fry until golden brown on both sides, turning
    once.
  7. Remove from hot oil with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
  8. Dust with a generous amount of confectioners’ sugar before serving.