Bite into a Beignet in Louisiana

Beignets (pronounced ben-YAYs) are pillowy, deep-fried pastries tossed in generous amounts of icing sugar and one of Louisiana’s most famous coffee-shop desserts. Typically served alongside a café au lait, a strong dark roast coffee blended with chicory and equal part hot milk, beignets are the perfect accompaniment to coffee or a quick snack on the go. These fluffy treats are a must-try for all.

Going Back in History

The word beignet comes from the early Celtic word bigne, meaning “to raise”. It is also French for “fritter”. Beignets can be sweet or savoury; sometimes stuffed with chocolate or fruit jam and served with sweet dipping sauces such as vanilla-flavoured crème anglaise; other times filled with savoury ingredients like Cajun spices and fresh Louisiana seafood.

It is believed that French colonists brought the recipe and custom of making beignets to Louisiana. In the 17th century, French settlers introduced beignets to the eastern coast of Canada, a region called Acadia. Later, when the British took control of the area, thousands of Acadians were forced to migrate elsewhere, including Louisiana, where their descendants became known as Cajuns.

Beignets rose to popularity at the New Orleans French Market in the 1920s, where they were initially called doughnuts. In 1958, the French Market doughnuts were rebranded as beignets, and later, in 1986, beignets were officially designated the Louisiana State Doughnut.

Where to Find Beignets
While you can find some variation of beignets throughout Louisiana, the following spots are arguably the most popular:

• When thinking of beignets, Café du Monde in New Orleans is the first name that comes to mind. This iconic café serves hot, fresh beignets alongside its famous chicory-spiced café au lait. The original Café du Monde coffee stand was established in the New Orleans French Market in 1862 and still operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While the original café is a New Orleans landmark, it has since expanded to several locations around the New Orleans area and Northshore. Be sure to pick up some Café du Monde chicory coffee and beignet mix before leaving town to savour the flavour and memories of your holiday in your own kitchen.
  
  
• Over in Baton Rouge, Coffee Call, a staple since 1976, has made a name for itself as a contender for the best beignets in the state. Students at the nearby Louisiana State University often find it the perfect place to study while sipping a hot coffee and enjoying an order of beignets as a late-night snack.
  
  
• In North Louisiana, Marilynn’s Place is rated as one of the top spots to enjoy beignets in Shreveport. Head over to this casual Cajun and Creole restaurant, where beignets and coffee are served all day long.
  
  
• Café Beignet in New Orleans also serves pillowy beignets with a generous sprinkling of icing sugar.