Courtesy of Mrs Paula Deen! French Quarter Beignets!

Ingredients                                                      

• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 7 cups bread flour
• 1/4 cup shortening
• Nonstick spray
• Oil, for deep-frying
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.

In another bowl, beat the eggs, salt and evaporated milk together. Mix egg mixture to the yeast mixture. In a separate bowl, measure out the bread flour. Add 3 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add the shortening and continue to stir while adding the remaining flour. Remove dough from the bowl, place onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Put dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.

Add the confectioners' sugar to a paper or plastic bag and set aside.

Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1-inch squares. Deep-fry, flipping constantly, until they become a golden color. After beignets are fried, drain them for a few seconds on paper towels, and then toss them into the bag of confectioners' sugar. Hold bag closed and shake to coat evenly.

Lollipops!

Great idea for Valentine's Day coming soon!

Everything you need is at Michaels!

 

Candy Melts: Whatever color you like!
Mold Trays
Pastry bags
Sticks
Bags and ties

Follow the instructions on the bag for melting the candy. Using your molds, you can use white to create the patters on your molds or whatever color you bought! Then fill the molds halfway with other colors. Place your sticks in and fill up the rest to cover. Stick it in the freezer! I'd say its ready in about 15-20 minutes. You can place them in baggies and twist tie them! And they are ready to give out!

 

Another great idea my daughter thought of, using OREOS! Place the stick in the middle of the oreo. Dip in the melted candy, decorate with chocolate chips and sprinkles! And voila! 

Pizza!

Delicious Crab Pizza with homemade pizza dough (dough can also be used for breadsticks!)

Pizza Dough Ingredients

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water

2 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons sugar

3 teaspoons garlic powder

1 ½ teaspoons salt

¼ teaspoon basil, dried

3 cups bread flour

2 teaspoon active dry yeast, or 1 packet

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Mix yeast in warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes until foam appears on top. Mix all dry ingredients. Add yeast water, oil and butter to dry mixture and mix well. Once all ingredients combined, lightly flour surface and knead dough until smooth. Place in a greased bowl and cover. Set aside in a warm area until doubled its size. 

Toppings:

Crab

Parmesan shredded cheese

Italian cheese

chopped garlic or sliced (A LOT)

Basil chopped or dried

Artichoke hearts, sliced thinly

1/2 cup melted butter

Cornmeal for pan

Once pizza dough is doubled, separate into 2 balls. Roll each ball out until pizza shape is formed. You can also do mini pizzas (what I love doing with the girls & have the kids make their own).Sprinkle cornmeal on your pizza pan and place your rolled out dough. Pour melted butter on top. Sprinkle a lot of garlic all over. Sprinkle crab and artichoke hearts. Lastly sprinkle your basil and both cheeses. Bake in the oven at 325 until golden brown crust and cheese is all melted, about 20-25 minutes depending on your oven.