Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Beignets

Thank you for coming back for another baking segment with me.  I have  chosen to kick off this spring with  Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Beignets; however, instead of making them in the usual square shape I decided to make them Mickey shaped. This is a two day process, but really isn’t as time consuming as it sounds.

What you’ll need:

1 package Active Dry Yeast (make sure to double check the type of yeast)
1-1/2 cups Warm Water
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs, beaten
1 cup Evaporated Milk (undiluted)
7 cups All Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Soft Shortening (I prefer the butter flavor)
Oil for Frying
Confectioners Powdered Sugar

Yields 5 dozen (really this depends on the size – mine are usually on the large side)

Day 1: To start, sprinkle the yeast over warm water and mix well. Then, add sugar, salt, eggs, and milk and blend. Add 4 cups of flour and blend until smooth. After that add in the shortening and remaining 4 cups of flour.

Now, cover the dough with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.

Day 2: Fill a pan full of oil about an inch to an inch and a half high, and heat it to about 400 degrees. Then, lightly flour a surface to roll out the dough. Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll it out to an 1/8th inch thick.

It is now time to cut the dough into the shape of Mickey Mouse! Like I mentioned on the show, I would normally make this much easier by using a Mickey shaped cookie cutter, but it hasn’t arrived from the Disney Store yet. So, what I did was use a very sharp knife, and cut by hand.

Shaping by hand (and messing with the dough in general) may sound difficult but it really isn’t – my five year old daughter, Reyna, was right along side me after watching some of Princess and the Frog!

My three year old son, Ken, also tried to get in on the baking action!

After getting the shapes correctly done, place the beignets in the hot pan full of oil.

Because of how hot the oil is, make sure to have full attention on the beignets for safety! The beignets are done once both sides are a golden brown (in my pan, this was about two minutes on each side). Now that they’re done, remove and set on a plate and give a generous dusting with powdered sugar.

I hope every one of you takes the time to do these – they really are a wonderful treat, and something the whole family will enjoy!