Vanilla Bean Beignets

I know I'm a little late for Mardi Gras but truthfully these delicious little doughnuts are perfect for Sunday Breakfast any time of the year.  The sweet, spiced, smell of fresh hot Vanilla Bean Beignets with a Café au lait first thing in the morning is a great way to get up! Everyone has asked if I went to Cafe du Monde when in New Orleans, I did and it was totally worth the $5. On top of delicious coffee, great beignets, and jazz musicians playing on the street, it gave me a wonderful memory and story to tell.

Here's my take on those Beignets:

Vanilla Bean Beignets By Cooking for Kishore

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Self-Rising Flour
• 3/4 cup Warmed Milk
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Powder
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 3 Tbsp Vegetable Shortening
• Vegetable Oil
• Powdered Sugar

Instructions

1. In a bowl sift the flour, spices, sugar and salt. Then cut in vegetable shortening until crumbly.
2. Stir warmed milk into the crumbly flour mix. Heat about 2" deep of oil in a frying pan.
3. On a well-floured surface, gently knead the dough till fully incorporated. Roll dough out to 1/4" and cut into 12 squares, then cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
4. Fry the beignets a few at a time, about 1 minute on each side till golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and while still hot dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Yield: Makes 12
Prep Time: 10 mins.

Cook time: 15 mins.
Total time: 25 mins.
Tags: Vanilla Bean Beignets, beignets, beignets recipe, Mardi Gras recipes, homemade beignets, easy beignet recipe