The Big Easy Biscuit Beignets

When I was a little girl; my mother would fry up canned biscuit dough for “home-made donuts.” We thought it was the most amazing thing on the planet. When I had children and grandchildren of my own, I passed along these delicious donuts.

Now if you have never had them, it’s super easy. Open a can of biscuit dough, break apart the biscuits. Flatten dough, cut a hole in the center using a small cap of some sort. Heat oil in the skillet, fry the donuts and their holes, dredge in cinnamon sugar and eat while still warm. When Hubby and I first married, he thought I was crazy to be frying up canned biscuits until he had one.

So imagine my surprise all these years later when I come across a recipe for Hazelnut Spread Beignets that are basically the same thing. I told Hubby that we were eating Beignets long before we ever heard of Beignets. At least the “hole” was like a Beignet. So naturally, I had to give this recipe a try. My only suggestion is watch the heat of the oil. Too hot and the pillows will crisp before the center is cooked through. Not hot enough and the oil soaks in. Its a trial and error thing.

Biscuit Beignets with Hazelnut Spread
1 can (8 count) Southern Style Biscuits
4 teaspoons Hazelnut Spread
Vegetable Oil for frying
2 tablespoons Powdered Sugar for dusting

Open can of biscuits, separate the biscuits on a cutting board. Slice each in half, flatten slightly.

Place about 1/4 teaspoon of Hazelnut Spread into the center of each biscuit half. Pull biscuit dough over the filling, pinch closed to create 16 half-moon Beignets.

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Heat oil over medium heat in a high-sided skillet. Pinch off a tiny piece of dough to test the oil. Should bubble up around the dough and the dough should rise to the surface. If the dough browns too quickly, turn down the heat. Test again.

Drop half of the Biscuit Beignets into the oil and let fry until golden. Turn and fry the other side, about 3 minutes per side.

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Remove fried biscuits from the oil using a slotted spoon. Repeat with remaining biscuits.

Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

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Great with a Double Shot of Espresso and some steamed milk.