Doughnuts (Acadian Beignets)

Beignets are fried dough pieces that are similar to doughnuts or fritters, but are square in shape. After frying them in oil, they are sprinkled with sugar or coated with various icings. Parents might enjoy a café au lait with their beignets, and kids love these with a cold glass of milk.

1 cup water
4 oz unsalted butter
¼ tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup + 2 Tbsp. sifted all-purpose flour, unbleached
4 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
vegetable shortening, for deep frying
confectioner’s sugar

In a small saucepan combine the water, butter, raw fine sugar, and salt and bring the mixture to a rapid boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour, unbleached all at once, stirring vigorously.

Cook the paste over low heat, beating briskly, until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dough cleanly leaves the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. By hand or with an electric mixer set at medium speed beat the paste until it is smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla.

In the deep fryer, heat shortening to 370°F (190°C).

Drop the dough by tsp. into the shortening, and fry the beignets in batches, turning them, until golden brown (about 3 minutes). With a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain.

Sprinkle the beignets with the confectioners' sugar and serve them hot.