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A better baked version of a popular Mardi Gras favorite. These Skinny Baked Beignets are the perfect dessert or even breakfast with a hot cup of coffee!

It’s a Mardi Gras Fun Day! (Fat Sunday, if you will)

I’m not from Louisiana, but I have a strong connection to it. 

Many people don’t know that my ex husband (my children’s father) is from Louisiana.

I met him when I was 19. So before him, I really didn’t know much about Louisiana, Creole and Cajun Culture or Mardi Gras  in general, including why it was celebrated or about any of the customary foods, etc..

It wasn’t long after we met that I got my first visit to New Orleans and my first taste of real Louisiana cuisine, which interestingly enough my ex husband doesn’t like most of,  and I have been hooked ever since.

I enjoy visiting Louisiana occasionally and dining on true Creole food, because up here in Missouri, even the Cajun restaurants don’t really understand real Cajun or Creole food.

Not that there’s too many of them, because there really isn’t.

Which has left me to create the foods I love in my own kitchen when I am having a craving for them.

This is true with my love affair with beignets, which I have been enjoying since childhood.

There is nothing like a traditional Beignets from the heart of Louisiana, but I don’t get down there often and the bakeries up here have no idea what they are doing.

I had my first beignet when I was very young, and used to think it funny that it was the Louisiana State Donut, since to me it didn’t seem like a donut.

However, my skinny version here is baked and not fried.

You still get the same pillowy doughy square perfection coated in powdered sugar but without the extra fat and grease.

You can’t beat that.

Skinny Baked Beignets

Don’t miss the other great recipes in today’s Fat Mardi Gras lineup!

Cocktails & Other Beverages:

• The Hurricane Cocktail Recipe from An Appealing Plan
• The French 75 from Kimchi MOM
• Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie from Peanut Butter and Peppers

Appetizers:

• Fried Oysters and Remoulade from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Shrimp in Mustard Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands
• Cajun Crab Beignets from Delaware Girl Eats
• Pancetta and Mushroom Arancini from Ruffles & Truffles

Main Dishes:

• Chicken and Sausage Gumbo from Supper for a Steal
• Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya from Yours And Mind Are Ours
• Vegan Pizza Waffles from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
• Red Beans and Rice from Cookin’ Mimi
• Baked Catfish Po’Boy from Curious Cuisiniere
• Muffaletta from Casa de Crews
• Bayou Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya from The Weekend Gourmet
• Seafood Gumbo from Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Cajun Rice & Beans from Momma’s Meals
• Creole Celery Root Bisque (with Lobster) from The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Louisiana Roasted Barbecue Shrimp from Food Lust People Love
• Cajun Dirty Rice Bowls from The Dinner-Mom

Side Dishes:

• Baked Endive and Pears in Blue Cream Sauce from Shockingly Delicious
• Okra Creole from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Desserts:

• Banana Creme Pie with Honey Whipped Cream and Pecan Brittle from The Foodie Patootie
• Chocolate Ganache Tart from Melanie Makes
• Banana Bread Pudding from Gotta Get Baked
• Delicious Saffron Baked Beignets from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• New Orleans Bread Pudding with Caramel Whiskey Sauce from La Bella Vita Cucina
• Polish Paczki from Cravings of a Lunatic
• Buttermilk Beignets from The Messy Baker
• Eggless Bread Pudding in a Jar from What Smells So Good?
• Mint Julep Bars from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Mardi Gras Cupcakes w/ Cinnamon Frostingfrom Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Mexican Chocolate Coffee Cake from La Cocina de Leslie
• Fasnetküchle from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Cheesecake Swirl Brownies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Pecan and Chocolate Pralines from Desserts Required
• Chocolate Raspberry Cake from Clarks Condensed
• Ravioli dolci di Carnevale from Manu’s Menu
• Strawberry Paczki from Neighborfood
• Blackberry Fritters from girlichef
• Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake from Magnolia Days
• Flourless Chocolate Cake in a Mug w/ Coconut Cream from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Pecan Bars from Pies and Plots
• “Skinny Tuesday” Bananas Foster Cheesecake Parfaits from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Mocha Pear Cake from Happy Baking Days

Are you ready to make these Skinny Baked Beignets?

Skinny Baked Beignets

Yield: 2 dozen

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Ingredients

• 1 ¼-ounce envelope active dry yeast
• 4 Tablespoons warm water, 100° to 110°
• 1 tablespoon of sugar, to proof the yeast
• ¾ cup milk or buttermilk
• ¼ cup sugar
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼-1/2 cup of powdered sugar for sifting over the warm beignets.

Instructions

1. Heat the milk or buttermilk in a small pan over medium heat. Once small bubbles begin to forms around the sides of the pan, stir in the ¼ cup of sugar, the butter, and the salt. Do not allow the mixture to boil ever. Stir continuously until butter is melted. Remove from the heat and set aside to allow to cool. (I usually put it in the fridge for awhile to let it cool quicker)
2. When the milk mixture is just about cool enough, begin the next step.
3. In a large bowl combine yeast, warm water and the sugar; let mixture stand for 10 minutes until "proofed"... it will be foamy.
4. Once the yeast has proofed, add the milk mixture, the egg and 2 cups of the flour.
5. I use my stand mixture and allow it to run for about 2 minutes. The dough will be sticky. Now add the last cup of flour and use the bread attachment to knead for about 5-6 minutes or until your dough is soft and smooth.
6. Place the dough into a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm spot about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
7. Punch the center of the dough down and turn it out onto a floured work surface.
8. Roll the dough out to about a ¼ in thickness. I use a rectangle or square cookie cutter to cut out the dough, but you can use a knife, pizza cutter or whatever you have. Place your cut out pieces on large pan, cover them and allow to rise in a warm spot for another 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
9. At this point, preheat your oven to 400 F.
10. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray. Place the pieces of dough 2" apart on the pan.
11. Bake for 7-10 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and sift the powdered sugar over them generously while still warm.
13. Enjoy piping hot and fresh for best taste. Serve with chocolate sauce for dipping.

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