These festive Candy Cane Beignets bring a magical holiday twist to a classic treat, combining warm, fluffy dough with cool peppermint sweetness. Whether you serve them for brunch or as a cozy Disneyland-inspired Christmas dessert, these beignets are guaranteed to bring instant holiday cheer.
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Found at the Mint Julep Bar at Café Orleans (where you can also get these tasty Mint Juleps!) in Disneyland.
Topped with a tasty candy cane, powdered sugar, these are such a great dessert! This recipe is a variation of my favorite Disneyland Copycat Beignet Recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
- Festive Flavor: Peppermint adds a refreshing holiday twist to warm, pillowy beignets.
- Fun to Make: Frying the dough creates that irresistible puffed texture everyone loves.
- Simple Ingredients: Use pantry basics plus crushed candy canes for a seasonal upgrade.
- Perfect for Sharing: A crowd-pleasing holiday dessert that looks impressive but is easy to make.
If you like this recipe, make sure to check out my peppermint cupcakes, gingerbread cookies, Gingerbread Bundt Cake, and my holiday popcorn!
What This Recipe Needs
- Yeast: Provides rise and gives beignets their signature light, airy texture.
- Egg: Adds richness and structure to the dough.
- Shortening: Creates softness to each bite.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Add texture, color, and festive peppermint sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar: A classic beignet coating that makes them irresistible.
- Cookie Cutter: I used a Mickey Cookie Cutter to mimic Disneylands beignets, but you can cut the dough into rectangles or use another fun cookie cutter shape.
Substitutions
- Crushed Candy Canes: Use peppermint chips for a softer texture.
- Shortening: Replace butter with a richer flavor.
Don't miss my favorite Cinnamon Pull-Apart Recipe! Easy to make and perfect for Christmas morning!
How to Make Candy Cane Beignets:
- Step 1: Activate the yeast.
- Step 2: Mix the dough and allow it to rest for 30 minutes
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- Step 3: Roll out the dough, then cut into shapes.
- Step 4: Allow shapes to rise for 1 ½ hours.
- Step 5: Fry until golden brown.
- Step 6: Mix up the candy cane topping by combining crushed candy canes and powdered sugar.
- Step 7: Sprinkle candy cane topping over the beignets and enjoy!
Want more peppermint recipes? Try my Grinch Cookies, Homemade Peppermint Bark, and Candy Cane Cupcakes!
Candy Cane Beignets tips:
- Yeast: Activate yeast with warm water and sugar- but make sure the water is between 105°F and 110°F. If the water is too hot, you will kill the yeast, and if it's too cold, you won't activate it.
- To tell if the yeast is working properly, let it sit for ~10 minutes after adding the warm water and sugar, and it should be foamy/bubbly (see picture)
- Smooth Dough: I like to fold the dough in on itself after it rests for 30 minutes to get a nice smooth surface. This isn't necessary, but it will make for a smoother and more uniform beignet after frying.
- Rise: Make sure your cut-out dough rises in a warm place. If your house is cold, preheat your oven to the lowest temperature (mine goes as low as 170°F, for example), then once preheated, turn your oven off and place your cut-out beignets in the oven to rise.
- Oil Temperature: When frying, keep your oil around 350°F. If it gets too much hotter, it will cook the beignets too fast, and if it gets too much cooler, it will take too long to cook the beignets, and they will get too greasy.
- Timing: Fry your beignets for 15-30 seconds a side- until they are golden brown.
- Eat Right Away: Beignets are best when eaten fresh and warm.
What is your favorite treat at Disneyland? Let me know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
No-just use a heavy-bottomed pot or cast iron pan with a few inches of oil.
Typically about 1-2 hours, depending on your kitchen temperature.
You can prepare the dough ahead, refrigerate it, and fry when ready. Freshly fried is best.
Aim for around 350°F so the beignets puff quickly without burning.
Fried beignets don't freeze well, but the dough can be frozen before frying.
More Related Recipes
Make sure to check out all my Christmas recipes, including this festive Christmas Cheesecake, Gingerbread Christmas Tree, Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies, Christmas Chex Mix, Cranberry Margarita, and this tasty Gingerbread Trifle!
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Video
Candy Cane Beignets
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoon dry yeast
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup warm water 105°
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup water boiling
- Vegetable oil for frying
Candy Cane Powdered Topping
- 1 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar
- 6 Peppermint Candy Canes crushed
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Make sure the water is no hotter than 110°F or else you will kill the yeast. Let the mixture sit for ~10 minutes, the mixture should get bubbly and foam will appear- this is a sign the yeast is working!2 ¼ teaspoon dry yeast, 2 teaspoon sugar, ¼ cup warm water
- In the bowl of stand mixer (or you can use an electric hand mixer) with the paddle attachment combine the sugar, shortening, salt, heavy cream, egg, flour and boiling water. Once combined mix in the yeast mixture.¼ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 large egg, 4 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup water
- Using the dough hook attachment mix on medium speed, mix the dough until just combined. Cover with a light towel and let dough rest for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove dough to a clean surface and roll to ¼-inch thickness. I like to roll out the dough to a small rectangle then fold it in half, then half again. This will create a smooth surface. Then roll out to a ¼ of an inch thickness.
- Cut beignets either into 2 ½ to 3-inch squares or with a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter.
- Lightly cover cut dough with a towel and let dough rise in a warm area for 1 ½ hours. They will grow taller but they don't spread too much.
- While rising make the candy cane powdered topping by mixing the crushed candy canes with the powdered sugar.1 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar, 6 Peppermint Candy Canes
- Fill a large pot fill with 3 inches of vegetable oil. Heat oil to 350°F over medium-high heat.Vegetable oil for frying
- Fry beignets until golden brown for 30-45 seconds each side, flipping over each beignet as soon as they brown on the first side. Once golden brown on both sides carefully remove each beignet with tongs and place on paper towels to soak up extra grease.
- While beignets are still warm sprinkle with the candy cane powdered topping.
Notes
- If your house is cold, simply preheat your oven to the lowest temperature, for example, my oven's lowest temperature is 170°F. Once preheated, turn the oven off and put the cut-out beignets inside and allow to rise. With the stove off, it stays warm without getting too hot for the dough.
- The original beignet recipe on the Disney Parks site worked ok, but adding a little more yeast and sugar to the yeast mixture really helped with a better rise.
- Nutritional info does not include oil used for frying.
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