As an American of Italian descent growing up in New Jersey, I thought that beignets were just another name for zepolle. Basically, I was right; they’re both just a ball of fried dough topped with powdered sugar. But at Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square at Disneyland, these balls of fried dough somehow end up shaped like Mickey Mouse! Stacked vertically on the plate, and served with two dipping sauces (vanilla bean and raspberry), these light and puffy treats were delicious!
(A word to the wise: if you have the pleasure of dining at Cafe Orleans, don’t be as foolish as I was. I had the Pomme Frites for an appetizer, the Monte Cristo Sandwich as an entree, and the Mickey-shaped Beignets for dessert. All of those are fried. I love fried food, but by the end of this meal I felt like I had eaten a boulder.)