Brandied Apricot Beignets with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Brandied Apricot Beignets with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
Brandied Apricot Beignets with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
Brandy and apricots amp up the flavor of these fritters. The finishing touch? A dark-chocolate sauce.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 40 servings
Cajun/Creole Mixer Chocolate Dessert Fry Dried Fruit Apricot Brandy Winter Bon Appétit Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon brandy
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • powdered sugar
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 3 tablespoons brandy
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
  • Carbohydrate 10 g(3%)
  • Cholesterol 30 mg(10%)
  • Fat 10 g(16%)
  • Fiber 1 g(2%)
  • Protein 2 g(3%)
  • Saturated Fat 4 g(19%)
  • Sodium 41 mg(2%)
  • Calories 135

PreparationFor sauce: Bring first 3 ingredients just to boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat; add chocolate. Let stand 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth. do ahead Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover; chill. For beignets: Bring apricots, 3 tablespoons water, 3 tablespoons sugar, and brandy to boil in medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Steep, covered, 30 minutes. Drain; reserve apricots and syrup. Bring 1/2 cup water, milk, butter, and salt to boil in large saucepan over high heat, stirring until butter melts. Remove from heat. Add flour; stir briskly until dough gathers into ball. Place pan over medium heat; stir constantly until film forms on pan bottom, about 2 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Using electric mixer, beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in apricots. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature. Preheat oven to 200°F. Line large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels. Pour oil into large deep saucepan to depth of 1 1/2 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pan; heat oil to 330°F to 340°F. Working in batches of 5 or 6, drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into hot oil. Cook beignets until golden brown, adjusting heat to maintain temperature and turning after 2 or 3 minutes, about 5 minutes Total. Using slotted spoon, transfer beignets to sheet. Place in oven to keep warm. Rewarm chocolate sauce over low heat. Mix in reserved apricot syrup. Sift powdered sugar over beignets. Divide among plates. Serve with warm chocolate sauce.

PreparationFor sauce: Bring first 3 ingredients just to boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat; add chocolate. Let stand 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth. do ahead Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover; chill. For beignets: Bring apricots, 3 tablespoons water, 3 tablespoons sugar, and brandy to boil in medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Steep, covered, 30 minutes. Drain; reserve apricots and syrup. Bring 1/2 cup water, milk, butter, and salt to boil in large saucepan over high heat, stirring until butter melts. Remove from heat. Add flour; stir briskly until dough gathers into ball. Place pan over medium heat; stir constantly until film forms on pan bottom, about 2 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Using electric mixer, beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in apricots. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature. Preheat oven to 200°F. Line large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels. Pour oil into large deep saucepan to depth of 1 1/2 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pan; heat oil to 330°F to 340°F. Working in batches of 5 or 6, drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into hot oil. Cook beignets until golden brown, adjusting heat to maintain temperature and turning after 2 or 3 minutes, about 5 minutes Total. Using slotted spoon, transfer beignets to sheet. Place in oven to keep warm. Rewarm chocolate sauce over low heat. Mix in reserved apricot syrup. Sift powdered sugar over beignets. Divide among plates. Serve with warm chocolate sauce.