Big Easy Pumpkin Beignets Recipes

PUMPKIN BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Combine flour, pumpkin puree, sugar, heavy cream, hot water, egg, shortening, and salt in a large bowl; stir in yeast mixture. Mix dough just until combined and smooth. Let dough rest in bowl, covered with a clean kitchen towel, 30 minutes.
• Transfer dough to a well-floured surface. Pat to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 2-inch squares. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let dough rise in a warm, draft-free area, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in a deep, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Fry beignets until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes, turning as soon as they brown on one side.
• Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain.
• Maple glaze: Combine butter and maple syrup in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until butter melts. Whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. Drizzle warm beignets with maple glaze and serve immediately.

PUMPKIN BEIGNET RECIPE

Steps:

• Add 3/4 cup warm water to a small bowl. Sprinkle 1 tsp yeast on top and stir to dissolve. Allow the yeast to activate (about 5 minutes).
• In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), add the sugar, egg, salt, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, heavy cream and shortening. Mix to combine.
• Pour in the activated yeast and mix.
• Add the flour to the mix. Use the dough hook attachment on a stand mixer and mix on medium speed until all of the ingredients are combined and dough is smooth but still slightly sticky.
• Form a ball with the dough and place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour.
• Use a deep sided heavy pot and add 3 inches of vegetable oil. Heat over medium high heat until oil reaches between 360°F - 370°F (cooler than this won't cook the beignets fast enough and hotter than this will burn them quite easily).
• While oil is heating up, combine powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice and place in sifter.
• On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares.
• Working in batches fry the beignets until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side.
• Use tongs to remove the beignets from the hot oil. Place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. While the beignets are still warm, dust them completely with powdered sugar/pumpkin pie spice mix. Serve immediately.

BIG EASY PUMPKIN BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast in the hot water with the kosher salt. Combine the dissolved yeast with 1 cup of the flour and mix until smooth. Form the yeast/flour mixture into a ball and place in a large bowl. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and set in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Use a fork to beat the eggs until frothy. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour and the cooking oil, mixing well with a wooden spoon or whisk. Once the yeast/flour mixture has doubled in size, combine it with the egg/flour mixture. Stir in the pumpkin puree and kefir and mix until completely smooth.
• Let stand for 1 hour. The dough should be elastic and spring back when stretched. Pour 1 1/2 inches vegetable oil into a deep, straight-sided frying pan and heat the oil to 360°F. (You can test the temperature by dropping in a small amount of the batter. If it immediately starts to bubble and float, the temperature is correct.) Using a soup spoon or a large tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Use the spoon to baste the cooking dough with a bit of oil as they fry. Drain the beignets on paper towels, then use a small sieve to dust them with powdered sugar.