There is something about Disney and animated desserts in general that makes them look 10x more delicious. So I knew I needed to take the challenge in recreating The Princess and the frog beignets made by Tiana so many times in the famous movie.
As a little black girl, of course it was one of my favorite movies, especially as someone with dreams of wanting to run my own bakery when I was younger. Now I did not just come up with this recipe for myself, but for you all too! Because I know y’all want it.
I have made beignets before and followed recipes that left me with an empty shell of a pastry or just didn’t puff up in the oil how I wanted. But THIS recipe right here give the slight crunch on the outside to a perfectly fluffy and airy inside. And of course the best part being that they are coated in sweet honey and powdered sugar. Yes, I am trying to make it so tempting you just must try this recipe. So let’s get into i!
Equipment & Ingredients
For these princess and the frog beignets let’s start with gathering all the ingredients we need:
- Warm Water
- Active Yeast
- Sugar
- Milk
- Eggs
- Butter
- Salt
- Flour
- Frying Oil
- Honey
- Powdered Sugar
As for the equipment you need to make this recipe, it only takes a couple things:
- Stand Mixer w/ Hook Attachment
- Frying Pot/Pan
- Rolling Pin
- Pizza Cutter
Now lets get into the fun of baking!
Making Tiana's Beignets Dough
Start by getting a bowl and adding the warm water, yeast and tablespoon of sugar. Mix together and let sit for 10 minutes on its own. This will allow the yeast to activate, the sugar acting as its food and being aided by the warm water. The mixture will look puffy once that part is complete.
Now add to this mixture, the melted butter, the rest of the sugar and the milk. Whole milk is preferred, but any milk can be used in this recipe. Mix this all together again. Now grab the stand mixture and transfer all these wet ingredients to it. Add in the flour and salt. Knead on medium to high speed for 3 minutes until everything is combined and a soft dough is formed.
It is ok if it is a bit sticky. The dough will be rolled out with a bit more flour after it rises, which will also help the dough become less sticky. Place a damp towel or plastic wrap over the bowl and let it rise for 90 minutes at room temperature. This is what will help create a very fluffy dessert just like the princess and the frog beignets. The dough should double in size after the 90 minutes.
Cutting & Frying the Beignets
After you have take you hour and a half break, come back to the dough and place it on a clean, floured surface. You will notice the dough feels softer and smooth and has a bit of airiness within it. Knead the dough on the floured surface only a couple times. Then take a rolling pin and roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a pizza cutter to create 2×2 inch squares that will become the princess and the frog beignets. It does not need to be perfect as even while frying the dessert will puff up in its own fashion, but be relatively neat when creating these squares.
Prepare a plate with the uncooked beignets. Also prepare a paper towel covered plate for when the princess and the frog beignets are done frying, to help drain excess oil.
Here comes the action part of the dish! I just love the frying process of beignets because you get to watch these flat dough slabs rise and puff into delicious fluffy pastries.
Start by heating oil in a large pan or pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once hot place as many beignets as can fit in your pan/pot size without overcrowding. You will only need to cook each side for about one minute. Without timing though, just notice the brownness of each side of the beignet. As you can see in the photos above, look for a nice golden brown color then flip.
Once both sides are golden brown remove from the oil and let excess drain from them on a paper towel covered plate.
Enjoy Your Princess and the Frog Beignets!
Now, no princess and the frog beignet is complete without the necessary toppings! If you have seen the Disney movie, you remember the exact scene she is working in the restaurant and whipping up these pastries. Tiana’s beignets are coated with honey first. This gives a sweet flavor but also helps the loose powdered sugar stick to the top of each beignet. Then she douses the beignets with LOADS of powdered sugar. A sifter is the best tool to use for this because it allows an even spread of the sugar. Don’t by shy with the powdered sugar y’all.
Now you have created these beautiful, fluffy and nostalgic Disney desserts. Go ahead and take a bite and enjoy the sweet, warm and pillowy taste of these New Orleans style beignets.
What would be an even better idea is to have this for a party, when you watch the princess and enjoy Tiana’s beignets all the while. I hope you enjoyed this recipe and come back for more dessert recipes.
Don’t forget that you can add whatever toppings you want to beignets. The base recipe is the perfect fluffy French style donut, so think of cinnamon and sugar, chocolate, even strawberry sauce. The ideas are endless. But, you can never go wrong the the classic princess and frog beignet recipe. Leave a comment on your results, variations, or if you have any questions.
Don’t forget to share this sweet recipe with family and friends too!
New Orlean's Beignets (Tiana's Beignets)
Course: DessertDifficulty: Medium24
beignets15
minutes10
minutes1
hour30
minutesThis fluffy and sweet beignet recipe will bring you right back to the wonderful Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog, specifically the scene where Tiana is whipping up those deliciously appetizing beignets,
Ingredients
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active yeast
1/3 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon
2/3 cup milk
1 egg and 1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons melted butter, nunsalted
1 teaspoon salt
4 1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
- In a bowl with the warm water add the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Mix together and allow to sit for 10 minutes, this will help the yeast activate and the mixture will get bubbly on top.
- Now add the remaining sugar, egg and egg yolk, melted butter and eggs to the bowl. Whisk everything together again until combined.
- Transfer this mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer and add the salt and flour. Use a hook attachment to mix everything together until a thick dough forms. Allow the machine to knead on medium speed for 3 minutes.
- Place the dough in a separate bowl or leave in the mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature for 90 minutes. The dough should have doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, move to a clean, floured surface. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a pizza cutter to cut out 2x2 inch slices that will become the fried beignet.
- Heat up a pot with frying oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a large plate with paper towel to place the fried beignets on after cooking.
- Place the beignets in the hot oil once heated, filling the pot, but not overcrowding.
- Allow the beignets to cook about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown on each side. Remove from the oil and place on the plate. Continue to cook the rest of the beignets in batches until all the dough is used.
- Drizzle honey all over the top of the plate of beignets coating all of the them. Then sift on the powdered sugar. Use LOADS of it to replicate the delicious treats made in the The Princess and the Frog Disney movie.
- Serve and enjoy!
