Port Orleans Resort Beignets

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Here we will learn how to make Beignets from Port Orleans Riverside at home!

In 2013

I ditched my husband in Utah and went to the Walt Disney World with my parents and my brother’s family. At the time I was 6 months pregnant with my first child. I love to stay at a different Disney Resort each time that I visit, and this stay we chose Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, which has a really unique New Orleans theme.

 

One of the very special benefits

of staying at Port Orleans French Quarter is that they serve fresh Beignets in their quick service restaurant. If you don’t know what a Beignet is: Number 1) I’m sorry for you, Number 2)  watch Princess and the Frog, and Number 3) continue reading and make this recipe for yourself.

Beignets are fluffy pillows of fried dough covered in mountains of powdered sugar. Made famous by the Cafe Du Monde in the REAL New Orleans French Quarter (in Louisiana) there’s really nothing not to love about these treats.

When my family and I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter, we had the Disney Dining Quick Service Plan (basically a pre-paid food plan.  Will discuss at length in future posts). At the time the plan included two quick-service meals and two snack credits per person per day. And each one of those quick-service meals included: an entree, a side, a drink, and a dessert. If you were eating at your resort hotel, you had the ability to save your dessert until after you’ve eaten your meal.

Our first night there I NEEDED to get the beignets. Here in this picture is me and my dad’s dessert as part of our meal. One of us got the beignets I’m one of us got the ice cream which they scooped into two bowls. Pretty good deal if I do say so myself!

It’s important that you wait to order your dessert until after you finish your meal so you can eat these beignets fresh out of the fryer. That way they’ll have the nice crisp flavor rather than getting soggy.




 

But these have an even more special importance in my life then my eating them at Disney World.

In the summer of 2011

I was going to school at Brigham Young University. I had just moved into a new apartment and wanted to throw a party in order to get to know my neighbors better. Being the Disney fan that I am, I decided to hold a “Princess and the Frog” viewing party and serve fresh beignets. That night was the first night that my future husband and I met and spent time together. That night we exchanged contact information which led to me asking him on our first date (on Facebook that night after the party).

Image may contain: 2 people, sky, outdoor and closeup

So, in the movie “Princess and the Frog” when Lottie describes Tiana’s beignets as “man fetchin’”, she ain’t kidding!

Image result for lottie eating beignets

Keep scrolling below for Video and Full Written Instructions!

Looking for a great deep fryer?  This is the one I use!  (Affiliate Link)

 

 

             

 

Recipe inspired by Paula Deen’s “French Quarter Beignets”

Print Recipe
Port Orleans Resort Beignets
These beignets are inspired by those served at Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney World. Fried, soft, and covered in powdered sugar, these will fetch you a man in no time.
Cuisine French, Louisiana
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Passive Time 2 Hours
Servings
Dozen
Ingredients
Cuisine French, Louisiana
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Passive Time 2 Hours
Servings
Dozen
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl, stir water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, beat the eggs, and add the salt and evaporated milk. After the 10 minutes are up, add this to the mixer bowl with the previous ingredients. Put on the mixer blade and start mixing!
  3. Next, add in 3 cups of your bread flour. After that has incorporated, add in your shortening. Then continue to add the rest of your flour until it is all mixed together.
  4. Trade out your mixing blade for a dough hook. If you don't have a dough hook, you can kneed the dough by hand. Either way, kneed until the dough comes together.
  5. Spray a large bowl with non-stick spray. Transfer the dough from the mixing bowl to this bowl. Place greased plastic wrap on top and allow to rise for 2-3 hours.
  6. Now is the time to prep your fryer. Add plenty of oil and set the temp to 350 degrees F. If you don't have a deep fryer you can use a heavy pan on the stove-top.
  7. Set out a plate with paper towels and a bowl of powdered sugar.
  8. Flour a flat surface and roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into squares (or use cookie cutters if you want to go crazy!).
  9. Carefully slide the dough squares into the hot oil and fry for about 1 minute per side. Keep flipping them and remove from oil once they are a golden brown.
  10. Allow to drain on the paper towel plate just for a moment, and then pile high with powdered sugar. Eat quickly so they won't get soggy!
Share this Recipe

About The Author

Ashley Craft

Print Recipe
Port Orleans Resort Beignets
These beignets are inspired by those served at Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney World. Fried, soft, and covered in powdered sugar, these will fetch you a man in no time.
Cuisine French, Louisiana
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Passive Time 2 Hours
Servings
Dozen
Ingredients
Cuisine French, Louisiana
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Passive Time 2 Hours
Servings
Dozen
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl, stir water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, beat the eggs, and add the salt and evaporated milk. After the 10 minutes are up, add this to the mixer bowl with the previous ingredients. Put on the mixer blade and start mixing!
  3. Next, add in 3 cups of your bread flour. After that has incorporated, add in your shortening. Then continue to add the rest of your flour until it is all mixed together.
  4. Trade out your mixing blade for a dough hook. If you don't have a dough hook, you can kneed the dough by hand. Either way, kneed until the dough comes together.
  5. Spray a large bowl with non-stick spray. Transfer the dough from the mixing bowl to this bowl. Place greased plastic wrap on top and allow to rise for 2-3 hours.
  6. Now is the time to prep your fryer. Add plenty of oil and set the temp to 350 degrees F. If you don't have a deep fryer you can use a heavy pan on the stove-top.
  7. Set out a plate with paper towels and a bowl of powdered sugar.
  8. Flour a flat surface and roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into squares (or use cookie cutters if you want to go crazy!).
  9. Carefully slide the dough squares into the hot oil and fry for about 1 minute per side. Keep flipping them and remove from oil once they are a golden brown.
  10. Allow to drain on the paper towel plate just for a moment, and then pile high with powdered sugar. Eat quickly so they won't get soggy!
Share this Recipe

4 COMMENTS

  1. Kristy | 8th Nov 17

    Love the site! Well done. I want to try all of these.

    • Ashley Craft | 8th Nov 17

      Thank you! Be sure to sign up for email updates so you won’t miss out on anything!

  2. Teresa | 24th Apr 20

    Can I freeze the beignet dough?

    • Ashley Craft | 24th Apr 20

      I haven’t ever tried that, but I would guess that you can freeze it and then re-rise it when ready to use. Let me know how it goes!

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