Christmas Ornament Beignets (Printer-friendly)

Light, fluffy beignets shaped and decorated like Christmas ornaments with festive colors and sprinkles.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
02 - 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

→ Frying

09 - 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying

→ Decoration

10 - 2 cups powdered sugar
11 - 3–4 tablespoons milk
12 - Food coloring (red, green, blue, gold, silver, etc.)
13 - Assorted festive sprinkles and edible pearls

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Whisk in granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
04 - Roll dough out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds using a cutter. Re-roll scraps as necessary.
05 - Arrange rounds on parchment-lined trays. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
06 - Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F. Fry beignets in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and allow to cool.
07 - Combine powdered sugar and milk to create a smooth, spreadable icing. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
08 - Dip or spread icing over cooled beignets. Adorn with sprinkles and edible pearls to mimic Christmas ornaments. Let icing set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Festive and fun to make
  • Light and fluffy texture
02 -
  • For extra flavor, add orange zest or a pinch of cinnamon to the dough
  • Use piping bags for precise icing designs
03 -
  • Ensure oil temperature remains steady for perfectly fried beignets
  • Allow icing to set fully before decorating to prevent smudging
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