New Orleans Chocolate Beignets Recipe

Chocolate Beignets Recipe New Orleans Style

Chocolate beignets transport you straight to the vibrant streets of louisiana with their decadent, pillowy charm.

Sweet, crispy pastries dance between traditional and innovative culinary styles, capturing rich cultural heritage.

These delightful treats blend classic french techniques with bold american creativity.

New Orleans cuisine always tells a story of passion and indulgence through each carefully crafted bite.

Powdered sugar blankets these warm, soft squares like a delicate winter landscape.

Warm, golden-fried dough promises an irresistible texture that melts in your mouth with intense chocolate depth.

Mastering this recipe connects you to generations of skilled bakers who celebrate flavor and tradition.

Chocolate Beignets Straight from New Orleans

  • Indulge in Decadent Chocolate Surprise: These New Orleans beignets offer a luxurious chocolate center that melts in your mouth, transforming the classic pastry into an irresistible dessert.
  • Quick and Easy Weekend Treat: The straightforward recipe takes just a few hours from start to finish, making it perfect for home bakers wanting to impress family and friends without complex techniques.
  • Experience Authentic New Orleans Flavor: By combining traditional beignet methods with rich chocolate filling, this recipe brings a delightful twist to the iconic Louisiana street food, creating a memorable culinary experience.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Whether served at brunch, as an afternoon snack, or after dinner, these chocolate-filled beignets appeal to both kids and adults, guaranteeing smiles and satisfied taste buds.

Ingredients for Pillowy Chocolate-Filled Dough

Chocolate Filling:
  • Dark Baking Chocolate: Rich, high-quality chocolate with at least 50% cocoa content ensures deep chocolate flavor and smooth texture.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides creamy base for the chocolate filling, creating luxurious and silky consistency.
  • Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create smooth, glossy chocolate ganache.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances chocolate flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies the overall chocolate flavor profile.
Beignet Dough Base:
  • Flour: French-style T45 or T55 flour provides ideal protein content for soft, tender beignets.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for dough rising, creating light and airy texture.
  • Sugar: Activates yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the dough.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast activity.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the dough.
  • Unsweetened Condensed Milk: Provides moisture and subtle sweetness.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create tender, flaky dough.
  • Warm Water: Activates and helps dissolve the yeast.
Frying:
  • Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: Neutral oil perfect for deep-frying beignets to golden perfection.

The Frying and Filling Process Explained Simply

Step 1: Crafting Decadent Chocolate Filling

Warm cream in a saucepan until steamy

Pour cream over chopped chocolate

Stir until silky smooth

Blend in honey, vanilla, and salt

Let mixture cool and thicken

Step 2: Awakening The Magical Dough

Dissolve yeast with sugar in warm water

Wait until mixture becomes bubbly

Whisk together:
  • Frothy yeast mixture
  • Beaten egg
  • Condensed milk
  • Melted butter

Gradually fold in flour and salt

Knead until dough feels soft and elastic

Cover and let rise in cozy spot for one hour

Step 3: Shaping Chocolatey Parcels

Roll dough on floured surface

Cut into square shapes

Place chocolate filling in center of each square

Fold dough over filling

Seal edges completely

Step 4: Frying Golden Pillows

Heat oil to 360°F

Carefully lower beignets into hot oil

Fry until golden and puffy

Flip once during cooking

Drain on paper towels

Step 5: Serving Dreamy Treats

Generously dust with powdered sugar

Serve warm and enjoy immediately

Tips for Achieving Soft Centers and Crisp Shells

  • Master Chocolate Melting: Use high-quality chocolate and chop it finely for smoother, faster melting without scorching.
  • Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating a fluffy dough.
  • Dough Rising Secret: Place dough in a warm, humid spot like inside a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water for optimal rising.
  • Frying Temperature Control: Use a candy thermometer to maintain consistent 360°F oil temperature, preventing greasy or undercooked beignets.
  • Sealing Technique Trick: Press beignet edges firmly with a fork to prevent chocolate from leaking during frying, ensuring a perfect filled pastry.

Storage Ideas to Keep Them Fresh Without Sogginess

Storing and Reheating Leftovers:
  • Refrigerate: Place cooled beignets in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual beignets tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to maintain best texture and flavor.
  • Reheat: Warm beignets in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make them soggy. Sprinkle fresh powdered sugar before serving to restore their delightful sweetness.

Sweet Pairings That Enhance Chocolate Flavor

  • Pair with Rich Espresso Shots: The intense, bitter notes of espresso perfectly cut through the sweet, chocolatey richness of the beignets, creating a classic New Orleans-style flavor explosion.
  • Complement with Bourbon Milk Punch: A creamy, bourbon-based cocktail balances the deep chocolate filling and provides a smooth, sophisticated drinking experience that echoes the dessert's decadent profile.
  • Enhance with Cinnamon-Spiced Red Wine: A slightly spiced, medium-bodied red wine adds warmth and complexity, matching the beignets' deep chocolate core and bringing out subtle nuanced flavors.
  • Refresh with Chilled Mint Chocolate Milkshake: The cool, creamy milkshake mirrors the beignet's chocolate filling while offering a refreshing contrast to the warm, crispy pastry texture.

Regional Twists You’ll Want to Recreate

  • Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans into the chocolate filling for added texture and rich, toasted flavor.
  • Spiced Mocha Sensation: Incorporate ground cinnamon and a touch of espresso powder into the chocolate mixture for a warm, complex taste profile.
  • Berry Chocolate Fusion: Mix raspberry preserves or fresh strawberry puree into the chocolate filling to create a fruity, tangy contrast.
  • Mexican Hot Chocolate Style: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and ground chili to the chocolate filling for a spicy, authentic kick that awakens the palate.
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New Orleans Chocolate Beignets Recipe

New Orleans Chocolate Beignets Recipe


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4.9 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sinful New Orleans chocolate beignets bring French Quarter magic to your kitchen. Pillowy pastries ooze rich chocolate, whisking dessert lovers into a sweet Louisiana celebration you’ll savor with pure indulgence.


Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

Chocolate Filling:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) dark baking chocolate, at least 50% cocoa
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) honey
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Beignet Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups (440 grams) flour (T45 or T55 recommended for best results)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons (10 grams) active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons (25 grams) sugar
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) unsweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
  • 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Frying:

  • Oil (vegetable or canola) for frying

Instructions

  1. Craft a velvety chocolate ganache by gently warming cream until it reaches a delicate simmer, then remove from heat.
  2. Incorporate finely chopped chocolate into the heated cream, stirring until the mixture transforms into a glossy, uniform consistency.
  3. Enhance the ganache with a drizzle of honey, fragrant vanilla, and a whisper of salt. Set aside to cool and thicken.
  4. Awaken the yeast by dissolving it with a touch of sugar in tepid water, allowing it to bloom and become frothy.
  5. Merge the activated yeast with beaten egg, silky condensed milk, and molten butter in a spacious mixing bowl.
  6. Gradually introduce flour and salt, kneading methodically until the dough develops a smooth, elastic texture.
  7. Drape a damp cloth over the dough and nestle it in a cozy, sheltered spot to rise until it doubles in volume.
  8. On a generously floured surface, roll the risen dough to a delicate 1/4-inch thickness and slice into precise squares.
  9. Deposit a dollop of chocolate ganache at the center of each square, then fold and seal the edges, creating plump pillows of dough.
  10. Immerse the filled parcels in oil heated to 360°F, frying in small batches until they emerge golden and dramatically puffed.
  11. Rescue the beignets from the oil, allowing excess grease to drain on absorbent paper.
  12. Lavish the warm pastries with a blizzard of powdered sugar and serve promptly for maximum indulgence.

Notes

  • Dive into a sweet New Orleans adventure with these decadent chocolate-filled pastries that transform traditional beignets into an irresistible dessert.
  • Homemade chocolate ganache nestled inside delicate, pillowy dough creates a luxurious surprise in every golden-fried bite.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 362
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 33 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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