Celebrate Mardi Gras at Home with Mickey Beignets

[Figment!]

You can make some magic at home by cooking up this classic taste from Disneyland (and more recently Walt Disney World):

Mardi Gras is the perfect time to enjoy Mickey Beignets!

Now, you can cook up your favorite memories of New Orleans Square in Disneyland park or Disney’s Port Orleans Resort in Walt Disney World from the comfort of your own kitchen.

These beignets are also the perfect snack to eat while watching Disney’s animated classic “The Princess and the Frog” on Disney+.

Mickey Mouse-shaped Beignets
10 large Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets or 2 dozen small beignets

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105°)
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup boiling water
Vegetable oil for frying
Powdered sugar

Directions:

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Combine sugar, shortening, salt, heavy cream, egg, flour and boiling water in a large bowl; stir in yeast mixture. With the dough hook attachment of an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the dough just until combined and smooth. Let dough rest for 30 minutes.
Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and cut individual beignets with a Mickey Mouse-shaped cutter or cut into 2 1/2 to 3-inch squares. Cover with a towel and let dough rise until doubled in size in a warm, draft-free area, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Using caution, heat 3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Fry beignets until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes, turning as soon as they brown on one side. Remove with tongs and place on paper towels to drain. Dust warm beignets with powdered sugar and serve immediately.