Combine water and milk in a heatproof container and heat in the microwave in 20-second intervals until it has reached a temperature between 105-115F (40-46C). Always stir before checking the temperature!

Pour liquid into a large mixing bowl. Add yeast and about 1 teaspoon of your sugar and stir. Allow to sit until foamy, about 5-10 minutes¹.

Once mixture is foamy, add remaining sugar, salt, melted butter and egg and 2 cups (250g) of flour. Stir well. Add remaining flour, stirring until combined.

Transfer the dough into a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover. Allow to rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).

Fill a medium-sized saucepan about 2-3” deep with oil. Fix a thermometer to the pan (make sure the tip is suspended in the oil and not touching the bottom) and turn heat to medium. Keep an eye on the oil, you want to heat it to 375F (190C). This should take approximately 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll the dough into a rectangle that’s ¼-½” (0.6-1.3cm) thick (about a 12×14” rectangle).

Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut into squares that are approximately 2.5” (6.5cm) wide.

Once oil has reached temperature, fry beignets 2 at a time by gently lowering into oil with a spider strainer or with tongs. Cook about 1 ½ minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Carefully remove from oil and transfer to a cooling rack. Wait for oil to get back to proper temperature before frying next batch of beignets.

Cool beignets several minutes then dust generously with powdered sugar and serve.