Flaky & Fun Elephant Ears Recipe: A Sweet Treat for All Ages

Crispy, golden elephant ears promise a carnival-style treat that whispers memories of fairground delights.

Sweet memories drift through kitchens when these pastries emerge, warm and inviting.

Dustings of cinnamon sugar create magical textures that crunch delicately between eager teeth.

Light and airy pastry transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Childhood nostalgia mingles with the pure joy of indulgence.

Each bite connects you to festive moments and cherished traditions.

The secrets behind perfect elephant ears await your culinary adventure.

Common Questions About Elephant Ears Recipe

• What are elephant ears in baking?

Elephant ears are sweet, crispy pastries resembling a large, flat cookie, typically dusted with cinnamon sugar and popular at fairs and carnivals.

• Can I make elephant ears without a deep fryer?

Yes, you can easily bake elephant ears in a regular oven, which creates a slightly healthier version with similar crispy texture and sweet flavor.

• Are elephant ears similar to other pastries?

Elephant ears are similar to churros and funnel cakes, sharing a sweet, fried dough base that’s often coated in cinnamon sugar for extra flavor.

The pastry gets its name from its large, flat shape that resembles the wide, floppy ear of an elephant when stretched out and fried or baked.

Why Elephant Ears Recipe Is So Fun And Sweet

• Effortlessly Create Classic Treat: These elephant ears deliver nostalgic carnival-style pastry right in your kitchen with minimal baking skills required.
• Quick Weekend Baking Delight: Prepare the entire recipe in under an hour, making it perfect for spontaneous family baking sessions or weekend morning treats.
• Customize Your Sweet Experience: Easily adapt the recipe by adding cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or chocolate drizzle to match personal taste preferences and create unique flavor variations.
• Kid-Friendly Cooking Adventure: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe an excellent opportunity for children to learn basic baking techniques while enjoying delicious results together.

What You’ll Need For Elephant Ears Recipe

• Flour: A key base for the dough, provides structure and texture to the elephant ears.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, choose fine granulated sugar for smooth mixing.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness, use fine table salt.
• Baking Powder: Helps the dough rise and creates a light, airy texture.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender texture, use unsalted butter at room temperature.
• Warm Milk: Helps activate the yeast and contributes to soft, smooth dough, choose whole milk for better richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor, use pure vanilla extract for best taste.

• Damp Cloth: Prevents dough from drying out during resting period, use a clean, slightly moistened kitchen towel.
• Floured Surface: Helps prevent sticking when kneading and rolling the dough, use all-purpose flour for dusting.

How To Make Elephant Ears Recipe With Ease

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they’re perfectly blended, creating a smooth base for your delightful pastry.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

Add softened butter to the dry mixture. Pour in warm milk and a splash of vanilla extract. Blend everything together using a wooden spoon or electric mixer until a soft, pillowy dough starts to form.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Begin kneading with your hands, working the mixture until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process helps develop the dough’s texture and ensures a tender final product. Keep kneading for about 5 minutes, feeling the dough become more supple and cooperative under your touch.

Step 4: Allow Dough to Rest

Cover the kneaded dough with a slightly damp kitchen towel. Let it rest quietly for 30 minutes at room temperature. This resting period allows the gluten to relax and the flavors to meld, creating a more delicious base for your elephant ears.

Step 5: Roll and Shape

Punch down the rested dough and divide it into equal portions. On a floured surface, roll each portion into thin, delicate rounds. The thinner you roll, the crispier your elephant ears will become.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to a medium-high temperature. Carefully lower each dough round into the hot oil, watching it transform into a golden, puffy treat. Flip once to ensure even browning.

Step 7: Dust with Sweet Topping

Remove the fried elephant ears from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. While still warm, sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar, creating a sweet, crispy exterior that’ll make mouths water.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve these elephant ears warm, right after they’ve been dusted with the sweet topping. They’re perfect as a delightful dessert or a special treat with afternoon coffee or tea.

Tips That Make Elephant Ears Recipe Better

• Flour Power: Use all-purpose flour for the most consistent texture and rise in your elephant ears.
• Butter Brilliance: Soften butter at room temperature to ensure smooth blending and even distribution throughout the dough.
• Kneading Know-How: Develop gluten by kneading thoroughly, which creates a more elastic and tender pastry with a perfect chewy texture.
• Rest and Relax: Allow the dough to rest completely, helping the gluten to relax and making the pastry easier to roll and shape.
• Sweet Swap: Experiment with different sugars like raw or brown sugar to add depth and complexity to the classic sweet flavor profile.

How To Store Elephant Ears Recipe The Right Way

• Preserve freshly made elephant ears by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Layer the pastries between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their crispy texture.
• Refrigerate for extended freshness, keeping them in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
• Reheat gently in a preheated oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their original crispness and warmth, bringing back that just-baked deliciousness.

What To Enjoy With Elephant Ears Recipe

• Elevate Sweetness with Creamy Companions: Pair these crispy, sugary elephant ears with a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a luxurious dessert experience.
• Brew the Perfect Beverage Match: Complement the pastry's sweetness with a robust espresso or a steaming cup of cinnamon-spiced chai tea, which will balance the sugary notes and enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Create a Fruit-Inspired Delight: Serve alongside fresh seasonal berries like strawberries or raspberries, adding a tangy brightness that cuts through the elephant ear's richness and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Indulge in Decadent Chocolate Pairing: Drizzle warm chocolate sauce over the elephant ears or enjoy them with a rich hot chocolate, creating a deeply satisfying dessert that combines crispy texture with smooth, velvety chocolate.

Tasty Variations For Elephant Ears Recipe

• Cinnamon Sugar Blast: Sprinkle generous amounts of cinnamon and sugar mixture over the dough before folding, creating a sweet and aromatic version that amplifies the classic elephant ear flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle Edition: After frying, drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate across the crispy pastry, adding a rich decadent touch that elevates the traditional recipe with a luxurious chocolate coating.
• Fruit-Filled Fusion: Spread thin layers of raspberry or strawberry jam inside the dough before folding, introducing a fruity center that bursts with tangy sweetness when bitten into.
• Savory Cheese Crunch: Replace sugar with grated parmesan and herbs like rosemary, transforming the elephant ear into a crispy, savory snack perfect for appetizer platters or game day munching.

Elephant Ears Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Crispy elephant ears pastry takes center stage in this delightful Mexican street fair treat. Sweet, golden-brown delicacies deliver a perfect crunch with cinnamon sugar coating that delights wandering palates.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Wet Ingredients and Frying Components:

• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring an even distribution of sugar, salt, and leavening agent.
2. Incorporate softened butter, heated dairy, and aromatic vanilla essence into the dry mixture, blending until a cohesive mass emerges.
3. Transfer the nascent dough onto a flour-dusted work surface, manipulating and folding with gentle yet firm motions to develop a supple, uniform texture.
4. Drape a moistened fabric over the dough, allowing it to relax and develop complexity for a brief interlude, promoting enhanced elasticity and flavor development.
5. After the resting period, prepare to transform the delicate dough into its signature crisp, golden form, ready for final preparation and indulgence.

Notes

• Choose high-protein flour like bread flour for a chewier texture that holds shape better during frying.
• Keep butter cold and cut into small cubes to create flakier, more delicate pastry layers when mixing.
• Adjust sugar levels based on preference – less for a more neutral pastry or more for extra caramelization during frying.
• Rest dough at room temperature to relax gluten, making rolling and stretching easier without tearing the delicate pastry.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 385
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg