Gingerbread Surprise Beignets with Spiced Mocha Hot Chocolate.
Just a warning, I am mildly (err um…heavily) excited about this post. Prepare yourself.
You guys, you guys, you guys!
I made us maybe the best thing ever this holiday season and I am so giddy with joy over them that my brain actually cannot think of words to say. I mean, I have so many to say, but I am a teensy, tiny bit fearful of annoying you all with so much cheesy Christmas talk that I will try to hold back… a little.
Here’s the thing, there are a lot of months throughout the year that I struggle with developing recipes. Sometimes I have a ton of savory dishes that I cannot wait to make, but then I have zero ideas for sweets and then visa versa. Sometimes, I just have nothing new or nothing I am all that excited about sharing with you guys. I figure it out, but sometimes it’s a bit of work and a lot of brainstorming. But suddenly December rolls around and I have ideas like no other time of the year. Actually, I have had ideas for December since July because that is when my crazy, annoying head starts to dream about Christmas again.
I know. Seriously, I know. You do not have to say it.
This December it seems I have a list as longs as Santa’s when it comes to desserts and sweet things. Oh my gosh, I love it.
And hey, December is really all about the sweet stuff anyway. That’s why it’s the best time of the year!
So I just need to tell you all about these gingerbread beignets…and then the hot chocolate, but beignets first. No matter what, whether you like gingerbread or not, you will like these. You just will.
They are fried, they taste like Christmas AND they may or may not have a little surprise inside. Ah ha. I totally stuffed some Nutella into half of the beignets I made and we all agreed the chocolate beignets are the way to go. Chocolate is always the way to go. <–Learning life lessons here people.
These are just as simple as any other beignet recipe only we are adding molasses, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Also known as the smells of Christmas and yes, the dough smells incredible!
They honestly could not be more perfect. Just a light dusting of powdered sugar and a dip through some hot cocoa and you’re in for a warm winter treat. No really.
Which brings me to the hot chocolate. You simply just cannot eat the beignets without a piping mug of hot cocoa, you just can’t.
I actually have a few hot chocolate recipes I want to share this month, but this is the perfect one for today. It’s creamy, silky and perfectly chocolatey. The mocha, while very subtle, just makes the chocolate shine and the pinch of cinnamon ties it together with the beignets. I am telling you – sinfully good.
If you plan on making these (which of course you really should), may I suggest you make them on the snowiest day possible? I know not all of you live in snowy locations, but if you do, wait for the snow. Snow makes desserts like this just magical. You can eat a beignet (or two or three) and slowly enjoy a giant mug of hot chocolate all while sitting by the fire with the tree lit up and music playing.
Doesn’t that sound so peaceful? Oh my gosh, if that could ever happen in real life I’d be so pleased. Can’t you telling I am just itching for some peace and quiet? Too many people in this house still. Barns almost done though. Can’t believe it. Nervous and excited all at the same time!
For everyone in warm places. Umm, use your imagination and decorate galore. That’s always fun too! then just kick back in the glow of your colored lights and relax with warm beignets and cocoa!
Finally, thank God it is Friday. I am going to sleep. Seriously.
Remember that cold I was telling you about yesterday? It kind of sort of turned into a not so nice cold and I really just want to sleep all day and night. Probably will not be able to do that because I do not have the gene that my brothers seem have that allows them to sleep all day and night. But I can try. I’ll probably just end up realizing it’s pointless though. Then I’ll go make gingerbread beignets and spiced hot cocoa because that’s just what I do.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Gingerbread Surprise Beignets with Spiced Mocha Hot Chocolate.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: chocolate, Gingerbread, mocha
No matter what, whether you like gingerbread or not, you will like these. You just will.
Ingredients
Beignets
- 1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cups lukewarm water
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups Nutella - optional 24 tablespoons
- canola oil for deep-frying
- powdered sugar for sprinkling
Spiced Mocha Hot Chocolate
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- pinch of kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cup milk I used 2%
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or full-fat canned coconut milk
- 2-4 ounces dark chocolate chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Beignets
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Mix the yeast, brown sugar and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Let sit for 10 minutes and allow the yeast to proof, it will foam up. Once the yeast is ready, add the eggs, salt, buttermilk, melted butter, molasses and vanilla.
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Add 2 1/2 cups flour, the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and all-spice, mix on medium until combined. Continue adding the remaining 1/2 cup of flour slowly until it is all incorporated. Dough will be sticky. At this point begin adding a tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a smooth ball (about 4-6 minutes). If you don’t have a mixer or would rather knead the dough with you hands, place the dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth, adding a little more flour as needed (about 8-10 minutes). The dough may still be a bit sticky, but shouldn’t be overly so.
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Spray a bowl with cooking spray and place the dough inside, cover with some plastic wrap on top. Let rise for 2 hours in a warm spot. When the dough is ready place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out into a square or rectangle.
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To make unstuffed beignets: Roll to 1/4 inch thick. Use a pizza cutter, knife or pastry cutter to cut the dough into 3×3 inch squares (about 25 squares).
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To make Nutella stuffed beignets: When the dough is ready place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out into a square or rectangle. Roll to 1/8 inch thick. Use a knife or pastry cutter to cut into 3×3 inch squares (about 50 squares).
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Scoop out a scant teaspoon of Nutella and place in the middle of a square. Gently place another square on top and pinch the sides together. Fold each side in about 1/4 inch and pinch again. It is VERY important that the beignet is well sealed. If not, it could pop open while it fries and all the filling will spill out!*
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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. I would recommend using an instant read thermometer so you know the exact temperature at all times.
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Once the oil is ready, 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. If they are taking longer than 3 minutes to brown you need to turn your burner up and make sure your oil is at the correct temperature. Remove with the slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining squares. Dust the warm beignets with powdered sugar on both sides.
Hot Chocolate
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In a small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, instant coffee and salt. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the milk and cream. Bring it to a simmer, stirring every few minutes. Sprinkle the dry chocolate mixture over the hot milk, turning the heat down to low. Whisk continuously until smooth (do not let it boil), then whisk in the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract.
To serve
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Serve the warm beignets with a big mug of hot chocolate...enjoy by the fire while listening to Christmas music. Obviously.
Santa would be so proud, don’t cha think?
Wow!! I am at work now, but after reading your post, I just want to leave everything, run home and make these beauties immediately. You ‘drew’ such a wonderful and tasty picture for our imagination. 🙂
I have to confess, not only I never made the beignets before, I never tried them either 🙁 The recipe sounds wonderful and I can not wait to try it. 🙂
Haha! Wouldn’t that be amazing! 🙂
Thank you so much and I hope you are having a great weekend! 🙂
This looks AMAZING!!!
Thank you so much, Brenda!
I made beignets a few years ago from a mix. Nothing to brag about. These look wonderful. Hope you feel better soon.
Homemade, like completely homemade will trump the stuff from the mix. Thanks Charlotte and I hope you are having a great weekend! 🙂
Those beignets are screaming Christmas to me…you can almost smell that gingerbread. I’ve got to conquer my fear of frying soon..Please give us an entire barn post soon…can’t wait to see what you’ve done with it so excited for you…take care of yourself and get some rest.
Thanks Lisa! Post soonish, but probably not before Christmas. Nothing done yet and things are crazy!
Thank you for the kind words and I hope you are having a great weekend!
I am so in love wth these! I’m one of those people in the warmer climates but I’ve gotten really good at pretending for the holidays that it’s not actually summer. I want to make these so bad. I bet they make the whole house smell like Christmas!
The imagination is a wonderful thing! 🙂
Thanks Tori!
OH. MY. GAH! THESE ARE INSAYNNEEE! I have been so obsessed with all things Molasses lately…and I adore beignets. I mean, who doesn’t. Everything deep fried is tasty.
And that hot chocolate? Send it to me NAOW pls 🙂
Pinned!
Thanks Taylor! Hope you are having a fun weekend!
Love that you get so into the Christmas spirit! And I can practically taste these beignets, they look so good!
THANK YOU!
Oh my word Tieghan – I HAVE to make these. My daughter was in New Orleans in March and has a thing for beignets. Whoa – and that hot chocolate in the mug – I can’t even. BUT where did you get that great scarf???
Thanks Kathy! I believe the scarf is from American Eagle, but it’s my moms and she got it a few years back.
Have a great weekend!
These look so good and I must have them immediately! You make me feel all Christmasy with this post 🙂 Love these and want to make them ASAP!
THANK YOU! This makes me so happy! 🙂
I really can’t think of any better way to kick Friday off. My mouth is watering and craving chocolate now!
Thank you so much, Meg! I hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Tieghan. This post slayed me……..WHAAAAAAT!!!! You never cease to blow me away with your recipes, styling and photography. Definitely giving this a go and looking forward to the powdered sugar tornado!! 😀 Thank you for sharing it!! (And those mugs!! I NEED!! Where from??)
THANK YOU!!!! Seriously, I envy your ability to style photos and your creativeness, so this comment make me smile 🙂
The mugs are from Williams-sonoma. Have a great weekend!
Girl stop playing with my heart… these are amazing!
Thanks Erika!
WHOA these look amazing!!!
Thanks Abby!
Everything about this is wonderful! The beignets look amazing, the photos are stunning, and your holiday spirit is contagious!
THANK YOU! I love that my holiday spirt is contagious! 🙂
Wow 😛 Christmas is a good time to indulge and these look like a good way! Delish
YES! It so so is! 🙂
Thanks!
Oh my goodness, this is everything. So, so wonderful!!!
Thank you!
Hope you have a great weekend and have some Christmas fun in there too !:)
Yum!! Also, those dishes are so cute 🙂
Thank you!
Delicious! I love Christmas flavors, so these beignets are right up my alley.
Tanks Naomi!
How long will the beignets keep? As in, can they be cooled and heated later?
The beignets are best right away, but I kept serving them warmed in the microwave for about 20 seconds for 3-4 days. Hope you love these!
OH my goodness. Love love love. I’ve been making hot chocolate like a crazy person lately and this looks fantastic. Hope you feel better!
Thank you so much! Have a great weekend!
I am in love with those bronze mugs, but also all of your photo prop/dishes in general.
You go girl!
Oh my gosh, Thank you! Hope you have a great weekend fill with some Christmas too!
Goodness!! These pictures are gorgeous and so cozy!!!
Thank you so much, Tanah! Have a great weekend!
YES to these and to Christmas enthusiasm! I start thinking about Christmas in July, too. It’s my absolute favorite. These beignets and that hot chocolate look killer!
YAAA!! It’s my absolute favorite too! 🙂
Thank you so much, Cindy! Enjoy your weekend!
Your photography is straight up magical! This all looks delicious!
Thank you so much, Kate!!
Looks awesome! Love the surprise chocolate inside the beignets.
Thank you!
HAHAHAHA Evil genus!!!! 🙂 XO
Thanks Collette! 🙂
Hope you have a fun, cheerful weekend!
Okay, I changed my mind about everything else. I want these for Christmas! Soooo not only are your photos insanely amazing but this recipe…..there are no words! Two recipes! Killing me!
THANK YOU! You are so kind!
Hope you have a great fun, Chritsmasy weekend!
Holly molly! You never cease to inspire me with your recipes and your styling. What a beautiful display of beignets.
Hope you feel better..
THANK YOU!
Have a great weekend!
Dang.
Thanks!
When my sister lived in Mississippi I would travel down to the French Quarters–my first stop was always the Beignet shop (then a pasta restaurant–lol). I haven’t made these in years but this might be a good time because these look really good.
Have a great weekend–popcorn and Christmas movies sounds good.
Thanks so much, Nancy! That sounds pretty delicious!!
Oh and popcorn and Christmas music sounds beyond perfect!
The beignets, the hot chocolate, the copper mugs – this whole post is perfection!!!
THANK YOU!
Holy crap… These look absolutely stunning. No words at the awesomeness in this post. I cant wait to make these!
THANK YOU! 🙂
Have a fun weekend!
Gosh, these look so good. Can I just steal one, pretty, please?
I miss NOLA and during the holidays, I miss it even more. These beignets are perfect and brought back great memories. Seriously though you could give Cafe du Monde and Morning Call a run for their money 🙂
These are off the charts, Tieghan! If you wanted to “surprise” me with some of these by mailing them to me, I totally wouldn’t mind at all! 🙂
A gingerbread beignet is one heck of an idea! I adore these!!
This is happening at my house for Christmas morning breakfast, no question! (And also tomorrow morning because it can’t hurt to test it out, right?) Beautiful pics and ideas, as always! <3
Not only does this recipe sounds amazing, your photography is out of this world! I live in a snowy area and I want this so, so bad!!
Oh my holy heck. These beignets? ARE AMAZING.
Whoa!!
🙂
Heck yes.. these look amazing! Gingerbread + nutella + silky hot chocolate to top it all off? Dying here 🙂
Thanks Alexandra!
WOWZA – I must say I got heavily excited just from reading the title of your post – before even seeing the photos. I adore both beignets and gingerbread so this is just a little slice of heaven right here. Pinning right now!
Thank you! Hope you are having a great week!
How well do these hold over? I was thinking I could bake them on Christmas eve for everyone for breakfast on Christmas day.
They are best right after frying, but can be gently re-heated the next day, so i think that will work fine. Hope you love these!
I just wanted to say your photography is stunning! Gorgeous. I lingered over your photos for a long time!
THANK YOU!
Mocha is Chocolate….
Not only do these looks completely fabulous and I want to stuff them in my face RIGHT NOW (yes, in January), I just love how emphatic your writing is– like, you are 100% convinced about every single thing you said *and I believe it*. Now I have an urgent need to leave work on my second day back and make these, so thanks for that. 😉
Haha! Thank you so much! 🙂
I am seriously drooling over this!! Trying it for New Year’s 😀 Yum yum yum!
i like it very much
Thank you!!
I’ve been following your blog for over a year now and have been meaning to comment. This hot coco is amazing! I made it tonight after we decorated the tree. It was perfect. I make a lot of your recipes and they are always a hit. Can’t wait for your cookbook!
Hi Elizabeth!! Thanks for commenting!! So happy you like the hot coco, and everything else!! Thanks so much!