Easy Beignet Recipe

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1. 1Step 1: Heat the water to 105°F in a small bowl.
2. 2Step 2: Add the yeast and a pinch of sugar to the water. Stir to dissolve. Let it sit and confirm the yeast is active---it will foam. If it does not foam, throw it out and start over.
3. 3Step 3: Meanwhile, combine the shortening, sugar, milk, and egg white in a small cup. Whisk together well, then add the boiling water. Test the temperature of this mixture, and when it's between 105-110°, add it to the foamy yeast mixture. Stir well.
4. 4Step 4: Add the flour and salt to the bowl, and stir gently to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour. You can make the dough ahead of time up to this point. I have kept dough for 3 days in the fridge before frying, and it's fine.
5. 5Step 5: Heat the oil in a deep pot to 360°F.
6. 6Step 6: Meanwhile, divide the dough in half, and roll it out on a floured counter into a square about 6" wide. Use a pizza wheel to cut it small squares. (see photo above for reference)
7. 7Step 7: When the oil is at 360°, drop in 3 square of dough. Do not walk away. The first side fries for 1-2 minutes. When golden brown on one side, flip the squares using a fork and continue to fry. When that side is golden brown (about 1 minute more), remove from the oil onto a cooling rack lined with paper towels.
8. 8Step 8: Roll out the other half of the dough, cut into squares, and fry all the squares.
9. 9Step 9: After cooling for about 5 minutes, dunk the beignets into the powdered sugar. Serve with all the extra powdered sugar piled on top.