Heart-Shaped Oven Baked Beignets
Discover the delightful and lighter version of a classic treat with my oven-baked beignets, crafted in two charming ways – adorable mini hearts with a sprinkle of pink sugar and larger heart-shaped beignets adorned with twin heart sparks.
These baked beauties are not just a feast for the taste buds but also a treat for the eyes, perfect for any day when love is in the air.
If you adore exploring new baking adventures, don’t miss out on trying my Banana Puff Puff, or the irresistible Princess Tiana’s Famous Beignets!
Why you will love these oven-baked beignets
Where do I even start? There are a good couple of reasons to love oven-baked beignets; here they are:
- Oven-baked means fewer calories without compromising on the taste.
- Any easy-to-make recipe if you want to bake something simple from scratch.
- Made with easy-to-source, everyday ingredients.
- This treat looks so pretty on a plate, dusted with sugar.
- A real crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves a beignet!
Making Beignets Ahead: Easy and Quick
Preparing your oven-baked beignets in advance is perfect for busy schedules, allowing you to savor their sweetness without the rush.
Prep the Dough Early: Mix your beignet dough and refrigerate it. A cold, slow rise enhances flavor, making them tastier. Keep the dough covered in the fridge, then warm it to room temperature, shape it, and bake it when ready.
Freeze for Future Use: For even longer prep, freeze shaped beignets on a tray, then store them in a freezer bag.
This streamlined approach ensures you can enjoy fresh oven-baked beignets anytime, with minimal fuss.
Tips and Tricks
- Even Baking: Ensure even thickness when rolling out your dough for uniform baking.
- Watch the Oven: Keep a close eye as they bake, as oven temperatures may vary.
- Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to get creative with toppings for your oven-baked beignets – try cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of chocolate for variation.
- Perfect Pairing: Serve with a cup of café au lait or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate experience.
Variations:
Discover the delightful and lighter version of a classic treat with my oven-baked beignets, now available in four enchanting variations:
Mini Heart Beignets with Pink Sugar: These bite-sized delights are perfect for a sweet, colorful treat, topped with a sprinkle of pink sugar for that extra sparkle of love.
Smiley Heart Beignets: Add a dash of joy to your baking with these smiley heart beignets. After baking, use icing to draw smiley faces on each beignet, turning them into happy hearts that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Chocolate-Filled Heart Beignets: For a surprise burst of flavor, these beignets are filled with luscious chocolate before baking. Each bite reveals a gooey, chocolatey center, combining the classic beignet texture with a heartwarming chocolate filling.
How to Store Beignets
Store your baked beignets in an airtight container at room temperature. They are best enjoyed within 2 days; if you’ve managed to resist them that long, they’ll stay good for up to 5 days.
Baking Powder vs Yeast in Beignets
When it comes to making oven-baked beignets, the choice between baking powder and yeast significantly affects the outcome.
Baking Powder: This quick-acting agent is great for a rapid rise but is less common in traditional beignet recipes. It will make the beignets puff up quickly and provide a light texture, but you’ll miss out on the classic beignet flavor.
Yeast: The traditional choice for beignets. It takes longer, requiring time for the dough to rise, but it’s worth the wait. Yeast not only helps the beignets expand and become airy but also imparts a distinctive taste essential to authentic beignets.
For that classic, irresistible beignet experience, yeast is the way to go. It brings the traditional flavor and texture that make beignets a beloved treat.
Oven-baked Beignets
Ingredients
For the Beignets:
- ¾ cup lukewarm water
- ¼-½ cup caster sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 4 TBS melted butter
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
For Dusting:
- 4 Tbsp powdered sugar
For the Pink Glaze and Sugar Topping:
- Pink food coloring
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- Milk (for brushing)
Instructions
Making the dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine lukewarm water, caster sugar, melted butter, a pinch of salt, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Beat the egg lightly and add it to the mixture. Mix well until everything is thoroughly incorporated.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and an additional pinch of salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the right consistency is achieved.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is smooth.
crafting the shape
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. For a dual-heart effect, use a large heart cutter for the outline and a smaller one to cut another heart inside. Use a small heart-shaped cutter for mini hearts.
- Arrange the dough shapes on lined baking sheets. Then, increase your oven temperature to 180°C (356°F.
- Lightly brush the tops with milk for a golden finish. Optionally, sprinkle pink sugar on top for color.
- Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow the beignets to cool before dusting generously with powdered sugar.
- Relish your delightful, oven-baked pink beignets!
