Chocolate Beignets

I love New Orleans, especially because I can eat beignets. And the super addicting decadence is even better with a luscious chocolate filling. When I created this wonder at home, my son devoured them within minutes. I learned to make a big batch and hide some for myself because I want peace and beignets. 😉 Of course, if you live near one, you can find Popeyes chocolate beignets—sometimes. But nothing compares to homemade with the aroma filling your kitchen.

Recipe Ingredients

Chocolate Filling Beignets

How to Make Chocolate Beignets

Chocolate Filling

Heat – Bring the cream to a simmer and pour over the chopped chocolate. (Photos 1-3)Melt – Gently stir until the chocolate has melted, then stir in the salt, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. (Photos 4-6)Chill – Set aside to cool to room temperature and chill until firm, about 2 hours, before using.

Make the Dough

Activate Yeast – Combine lukewarm water and yeast in a large bowl or stand mixer. Let the mixture work for about 5 minutes or until it dissolves and looks a little frothy. (Photo 7)Whisk – Lightly whisk evaporated milk, sugar, salt, egg, and vanilla extract. Then add it to the yeast mixture. (Photos 8-10)Add Flour – Mix in about 2 cups of flour and continue mixing with a hand or dough mixer. If using a stand mixer, mix for 1-2 minutes. (Photos 11-12)Add Butter – Finally, add the melted butter and mix the dough until it’s sticky but smooth. Add more flour as needed to make a soft dough. (Photo 13)Knead – Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or two. Place the pastry dough into a greased bowl, then turn it once to coat. Cover the bowl loosely with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for a couple of hours or until doubled in size. (Photos 14-16)Divide – Punch the dough down, and then remove it from the bowl. Divide the dough into four parts for easy handling. (Photos 17-19)

Prepare the Beignets

Flatten – Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to form a 10″ by 4″ rectangle. (Photo 20)Divide – Cut the dough into ten squares (2″x2″) using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. (Photo 21)Assemble – Add a tablespoon full of firm chocolate filling on one square and then cover it with another square. Crimp the edges by pinching them together tightly, so the beignets don’t burst while frying. (Photos 22-26)Rest – Let it rest for about 10 minutes before frying. (Photo 27)Fry – Working in batches to not crowd the pan, fry the dough squares until puffy and golden brown. (Photos 28-29)Drain – Remove them from the oil and put them on a paper towel to soak up any extra oil. (Photo 30)Serve – Dust with powdered sugar immediately. Then serve hot with café au lait, and enjoy!!!

Recipe Variations

Tips and Tricks

Make-Ahead Instructions

Yes, you can make these beignets ahead. Make the dough as instructed up to rolling out and cutting it into squares. Lay them on a lined baking sheet in a single layer, then cover them with plastic wrap. They last in the fridge for 2-3 days and a month or two in the freezer. When ready to serve, let them come to room temperature before frying.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Freshly cooked chocolate beignets are the best, but they still taste marvelous a day later. 😉 Store – Transfer the chocolate beignets to an airtight container or freezer-safe resealable bag. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 2-3 days or two months in the freezer. Reheat – Serve them warm by baking them for 3-5 minutes at 350℉/177℃ or until warm. Less desirable is zapping them in a microwave for 10-15 seconds but do what you have to😉.

What to Serve With Chocolate Beignets

People in New Orleans enjoy beignets with cafe au lait, but I usually make a blended iced coffee if it’s a hot day. However, for a complete New Orleans experience, use them for the grand finale with shrimp gumbo, BBQ shrimp, or a muffuletta sandwich.

More Decadent Pastry Recipes to Try

Conclusion

Chocolate-filled beignets are always a winner with their melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. Are you always on the lookout for new delicious recipes? Then come along and follow me on Instagram.

Watch How to Make It

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