Anyone who has visited  New Orleans will tell you that the one thing that you absolutely MUST do is eat some Beignets. Beignets are a traditional New Orleans sweet akin to a doughnut but far more delicious. These cinnamon-infused pockets of bliss are drizzled with honey and buried under a drift of powdered sugar. If you start right now, you’re only 2 ½ hours away from paradise.

1. Mix water, yeast, and 2 tablespoons of the honey in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes, or until the top of the yeast mixture starts to look bubbly.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, salt, and evaporated milk together.

Pour the yeast mixture into the egg mixture, and mix together. Add three cups of flour to the yeast mixture, and stir until combined. Add  shortening, two tablespoons of honey, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Add remaining flour while stirring. Pour dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.

2. Spray bowl with non-stick spray, add dough, cover and let sit for 2 hours

3. Pour oil into a deep pan (about 1-2 inches deep) and preheat to 360 degrees.

Roll the dough out to a 1/4 inch thickness, and cut into 2-inch squares.

Fry the squares, flipping often, until they turn golden brown and pouf up. Be careful to keep the oil around 360 degrees, or inside will not cook.

After beignets are fried, drain, and lay out on a serving dish or plate.

4. Put the beignets on another dish, pour the reamining honey on top, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.