Plus where to find Beignets at Walt Disney World
If you have never tasted the yummy goodness of beignets, you are in for a treat. While there are many recipes on the internet for beignets and tons of recipes for Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets, this recipe is tried and tested in our own WDWPov Kitchen. We created this recipe (which is slightly different than the official Disney recipe). Remember that Disney is mass feeding thousands of people and takes shortcuts and uses ingredients for a cost-effective product. In our WDWPov kitchen, we are creating recipes for taste and usually only for a dozen or fewer people. Taste is our number one concern. This Mickey Mouse beignet recipe is the best and most delicious product we have found.
Mickey Mouse Beignets Recipe is made with a yeast dough that is fried. This fried dough is a fan-favorite classic recipe at Disney theme parks. Our classic recipe will deviate from the official recipe, but we are thoroughly convinced you will love this recipe and it will be one of the classic recipes you make in the comfort of your own kitchen time and time again.
What Are Beignets?
First, to find out more about what beignets actually are, visit our sister site, A Mother’s Random Thoughts. In addition to finding out more about these delicious treats, there is also a recipe for gluten-free beignets. We have actually made both in our WDWPov kitchen as I (Patty) have to be gluten-free.
Beignets date to 16th century France, but even some historians will say they go back even further to Ancient Rome. Who knew that they were frying bits of dough even back then?
Where Can You Find Beignets in Walt Disney World?
We tasted our first beignets at Walt Disney World Resort many, many years ago at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. This makes complete sense because the most famous beignets are at Cafe du Monde (which literally means Cafe of the World) in the French Market in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. While we have never been to Cafe du Monde, we are putting it on our bucket list. But we have had the next best thing – Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets at Walt Disney World.
Currently, you can find beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter at the Scat Cat’s Club at Walt Disney World. There is a walk-up cafe that is open from morning until evening, and a sit-down dining establishment that offers cocktails, beer and appetizers open in the evenings. They used to be at the Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, but since moving to Scat Cat’s, there have been additional options added to the menu such as Irish Cream infused beignets and even a beignet sandwich.
Some of the 2022 Walt Disney World Resorts offerings include: Scat Cats Beignets – Trio of Mickey-shaped beignets served with red pepper jelly, pimento cheese, Green goddess dressing and dusted with powdered sugar; Oyster Beignet Po’Boy – Mickey-shaped beignet with fried oysters, lettuce, tomato, cajun remoulade, and house-made pickles served with potato chips. Additionally, the Baton Rouge Beignets are sure to delight the adults with Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua Liqueur or RumChata Liqueur.
Mickey Mouse Beignets Made in Our WDWPov Kitchen
We live-streamed the making of our Mickey Mouse-shaped Beignets to our Facebook and YouTube audiences. Watch to see the fun that was had by all!
Other Interesting Facts:
While these popular treats are associated with New Orleans Square and Mardi Gras because many people are first exposed to them during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, it is important to note that they can be found 24 hours a day in New Orleans. However, they are actually Louisiana’s official state doughnut. (I don’t think many states have an official doughnut). The very best beignets (according to many critics) are at Cafe du Monde. However, they can also be found at Disneyland Resort in California, in Los Angeles, and in Paris, France.
Tips for Making Mickey Mouse Beignets
The type of oil definitely will affect the taste. We always use peanut oil when frying in our household. Peanut oil doesn’t taste like peanuts, but it doesn’t add an oily taste either.
When the recipe says 2-3 inches of oil, this is because if you use less oil, as the beignets plump, they will burn on the bottom of the pan.
Our recipe does not use boiling water which the official Disney Parks Blog recipe does. While it may produce a product that is slightly different, I have eliminated this for ease for the end-user. If you add the yeast mixture to a dough that is too hot, it may kill the yeast.
I remember when my mother use to fry. She always used a brown paper bag to drain the fries or doughnuts on. This absorbed the oil, but I am not sure it was the healthiest way to approach this task. I use paper towels to drain my beignets.
I absolutely use a thermometer to test the temperature of warm water before adding the yeast. Yeast performs best in temperatures of 100-110. I aim for 105, but anything within that range will work.
The Disney recipe uses heavy cream, but I use evaporated milk. I suppose I should test it both ways. Heavy cream has twice the calories and five times the fat of evaporated milk.
Where can I find a Mickey Mouse-shaped cutter?
While Mickey Mouse cookie cutters can be found at Walt Disney World, they can also be purchased on Amazon.
Affiliate: We are a member of several affiliate programs including Amazon. We receive a portion of the sales when you purchase through our links.
How many individual beignets does our recipe make?
Approximately 12 large Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets. These Mickey beignets will satisfy your Disney cravings and they are a perfect snack with a cup of coffee. Make sure to watch Disney’s animated classic The Princess and the Frog for a little Disney magic.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make beignets ahead of time and store them?
Absolutely. We doubt that if you make a batch, you will have any leftovers and they are best eaten fresh. However, if you store them, use an airtight container when making a larger quantity.
Can I use my stand mixer to mix the dough?
Yes, use the dough hook attachment of your stand mixer. However, when mixing up a single batch, I just mix with a wooden spoon.
What is your favorite Disney snack? While my favorite Disney snack is the Dole Whip and Jeff’s is the Mickey Ice Cream Bar, golden brown warm beignets are a favorite treat and a must-get each visit.
Mickey Mouse Beignet Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water (105-110 degrees)
- 1/8 cup granulated cane sugar
- 1 tsp packaged dry yeast
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 2 cups All purpose flour (I also use King Arthur)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp shortening
Instructions
- Add sugar and yeast to warm water and set aside for 5 minutes. The mixture will become foamy.
- Beat together the egg and milk. Add 1/2 the flour and the salt and mix together.
- Add the shortening to the flour mixture and blend.
- Add in half the yeast mixture and half the remaining flour. Mix. Add in the remaining flour and yeast. Continue to mix. The dough should begin to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Add more flour if dough is sticky.
- Cover the dough with waxed paper or a towel and let the dough rise for 1-2 hours in a warm area (You can eliminate this rise time if you are in a hurry).
- Place the dough on a floured board or clean countertop that has been dusted with flour. Roll the dough until it is about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut Mickey shaped beignets
- Place on a clean cookie sheet and cover with towel. Allow the beignets to raise for about 1 hour in a warm location.
- Pour peanut oil into an electric skillet or a deep frying pan. Use 2-3 inches of oil. Heat oil to approximately 375 degrees.
- Test the temperature of the oil with a small scrap of dough. If the dough begins to fry, the oil is ready. If it sinks and does not "fry", the oil is not hot enough. If the dough turns dark too fast, the oil is too hot.
- Make sure to spread the beignets out in the pan. Do not overcrowd the oil. Fry on each side 1-2 minutes.
- Remove with slotted spoon and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the beignets and serve warm.
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