Les Beignets

An easy snack to make, these little donuts are best freshly made. There won't be much use for them the day after. The recipe makes 18, perfect accompaniment with tea or coffee for big family and friend gatherings.

Ingredients:
2 cups of flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter
about 1/2 cup of oil for frying
a couple big handfuls of icing sugar


Directions:
In a bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder together then add the sugar.
  
In a separate (larger) bowl, mix the egg and milk together well then gradually add the dry mixture then beat in the melted butter to make a soft dough.
   
Place the dough onto a lightly floured board or counter top.  Knead the dough until smooth and elastic.  Divide the dough into 18 even sized balls.  Pat the balls down into somewhat flatter disc shapes.  Use a floured handle of a wooden spoon to push holes through the center of each ball..make sure the hole is open enough.

Pour a couple centimeters worth of vegetable or canola oil into a pan and heat to about 375 degrees F.  Fry the Beignets in batches, over crowding the pan will cool the temperature. Once golden brown on one side flip and fry the next side until cooked through. Then place them onto a dish with paper towel. Let cool for 5 minutes or so and cover with loads of icing sugar!