Mardi Gras is a time of celebration, indulgence, and all things sweet and delicious. And what better way to celebrate than with a warm, fluffy, and slightly crispy beignet? This classic New Orleans treat is a staple of Mardi Gras, and with this easy recipe for cinnamon beignets, you can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your own home with a classic cup of coffee.

To make these easy and delicious beignets, you'll need some basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Mix together dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and then whisk together the wet ingredients in a separate mixing bowl. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until you have a thick dough.

Heat up some oil in a large pot or deep fryer, and then drop spoonfuls of the dough into the hot oil. Fry the beignets until they are golden brown on both sides, flipping them occasionally. Once they're done, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to cool.

To finish off your beignets, dust them with some cinnamon and sugar, and serve them warm. These cinnamon beignets are the perfect treat to celebrate Mardi Gras, or any occasion that calls for something sweet and indulgent. They're easy to make, deliciously fluffy, and have just the right amount of cinnamon to give them that extra kick. So why not whip up a batch today and indulge in a little taste of New Orleans?

Cinnamon Buttermilk Beignets

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water

• 1 packet instant yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 cup buttermilk, room temp

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• canola or vegetable oil, for frying

• powdered sugar for topping

• hot coffee, for serving

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the water, yeast, honey, buttermilk, egg, butter, and vanilla. Add the flour, cinnamon, and salt. Knead until the dough comes together, about 1-2 minutes. If the dough feels too sticky, add an additional 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a smooth ball.

2. Cover the bowl and let sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.

3. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about an 1/4 inch thick. Using a knife, cut the dough into 3×3 inch squares (about 25 squares). Cover with a damp kitchen towel while the oil preheats.

4. Place a deep, heavy bottom pot on the stove and add enough oil to fill the pot about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. Turn the burner to medium and preheat the oil to 350 degrees F. Fry 4-6 beignets at a time depending on the size of your pot. Use a slotted spoon to flip them over every 30 seconds. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown on both sides. Remove with the slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining squares.

5. Dust each beignet generously with powdered sugar. Enjoy warm, with a side of hot coffee.