Whip Up Crispy Elephant Ears Recipe in a Snap!

Sweet and buttery crispy elephant ears pastry dance across taste buds like magic from childhood carnivals.

Street fair memories flood back with this classic treat that melts in your mouth.

Golden brown edges promise a delightful crunch that beckons dessert lovers everywhere.

Sugar-coated and crisp, these delicate pastries bring nostalgic joy to any gathering.

Each bite whispers of warm summer days and festive excitement.

Simple ingredients blend into an irresistible snack that transforms ordinary moments into something special.

Follow along to recreate this beloved classic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 9

Elephant Ears Recipe Ingredient Guide

• Flour: Provides structure and texture, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best results, ensures light and crispy elephant ears.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization, select granulated white sugar for even distribution.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for smooth incorporation.
• Baking Powder: Creates lift and lightness, ensures fluffy and airy pastry texture.

• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and tender crumb, use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness, room temperature works best.
• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and helps bind ingredients, select whole milk for richer taste and smoother dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth and aromatic complexity, opt for pure vanilla extract over artificial for authentic flavor.

• Additional Flour: Used for dusting work surface, prevents sticking during kneading, helps manage dough's moisture and texture.

Kitchen Tools For Elephant Ears Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect pastry texture.
• Rolling pin: Helps stretch dough evenly for classic elephant ear shape.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients together.
• Frying pan or deep skillet: Needed for deep-frying the pastry to golden perfection.
• Kitchen towel or damp cloth: Keeps dough moist during resting period.
• Slotted spoon or spider: Perfect for safely removing pastries from hot oil.
• Paper towels: Helps drain excess oil after frying.

How To Make Elephant Ears Recipe

• Whip Up Dry Ingredients

Grab a big mixing bowl and combine the dry components, ensuring everything is evenly distributed. Your goal is creating a perfect base for these delightful pastries.

• Blend Wet Ingredients

Pour in warm milk, vanilla extract, and softened butter into the dry mixture. Stir with enthusiasm until everything comes together into a gorgeous, smooth dough.

• Knead Your Dough

Transfer the mixture onto a lightly powdered surface. Use your hands to work the dough, pushing and folding until it becomes silky and elastic. This is where the magic happens – developing those perfect textures.

• Let Dough Rest

Cover your dough completely with a slightly dampened cloth. Allow it to relax and develop flavor for a short while. This resting period helps the ingredients mingle and creates a more tender final product.

• Prepare for Cooking

After resting, your dough is ready to be transformed into crispy, golden elephant ears. Roll it out, shape, and get ready to create something deliciously memorable.

Tips For Crispy Elephant Ears Recipe

• Perfection Kneading Technique: Knead the dough gently but firmly to ensure a smooth, elastic texture that will create light and crispy elephant ears.
• Flour Surface Trick: Use just enough flour when kneading to prevent sticking without making the dough dry, which can affect the final pastry's texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap whole milk with almond milk or coconut milk for a lactose-free version that maintains the recipe's delicious flavor profile.
• Cinnamon Sugar Twist: Sprinkle a mixture of ground cinnamon and sugar over the fried dough for an extra layer of sweet, warming flavor that elevates the classic elephant ear treat.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make this recipe accessible for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful fair-style pastry.

Serving Elephant Ears Recipe Warm

• Sweet Cinnamon Sprinkle: Dust freshly fried elephant ears with a generous mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar for a classic carnival-style treat that brings instant nostalgia and warmth.
• Fruity Twist Topping: Serve alongside fresh berry compote or sliced strawberries to add a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet, crispy pastry, creating a delightful dessert experience.
• Ice Cream Companion: Place a warm elephant ear next to a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, creamy sweetness to complement the crisp, golden pastry for a decadent indulgence.
• Chocolate Drizzle Delight: Carefully pour melted dark or milk chocolate over the top of the elephant ear, creating elegant chocolate streams that enhance the pastry's rich, sugary flavor profile.

Storing Elephant Ears Recipe After Frying

• Quick Chill Zone: Refrigerate leftover elephant ears in an airtight container for up to 3 days, maintaining their crispy texture and sweet flavor.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual pastries in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for 2-3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and warm briefly in the oven for a fresh-from-the-bakery taste.
• Room Temperature Tip: Keep elephant ears on a wire rack covered with a clean kitchen towel for 6-8 hours if serving within the same day. Avoid direct sunlight or humid areas.
• Revive & Refresh: Reheat chilled or frozen elephant ears in a preheated 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their original crispness and warmth. Sprinkle with powdered sugar right before serving for an extra delightful touch.

Crispy Elephant Ears Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Signature elephant ears pastry brings nostalgic carnival memories to home kitchens. Simple cinnamon-sugar dough creates crispy, golden treats perfect for sweet afternoon snacking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• ¾ cup (177 ml) warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Mixing Base: Thoroughly blend dry components in a large mixing bowl, guaranteeing uniform distribution of all powdery elements with gentle whisking motions.
2. Wet Integration: Seamlessly fold softened butter, warm milk, and fragrant vanilla into the dry foundation, stirring until a smooth, consistent batter materializes with no residual dry pockets.
3. Dough Development: Transfer mixture onto a lightly floured surface, kneading with deliberate yet tender movements to cultivate a silky, elastic consistency that springs back when touched.
4. Relaxation Phase: Envelop dough with a damp cloth, allowing it to rest and mature for a precise duration, enabling gluten networks to stabilize and flavor complexity to deepen.
5. Shaping and Transformation: Skillfully manipulate the rested dough, sculpting it into its intended form, preparing for the culminating baking process that will elevate its texture and golden-brown perfection.

Notes

• Control Moisture Carefully: Ensure the dough remains slightly tacky but not overly sticky, which helps achieve the perfect crisp and golden texture of elephant ears.
• Butter Temperature Matters: Use softened butter at room temperature to guarantee smooth incorporation and optimal dough consistency without creating lumps.
• Rest for Elasticity: Allow the dough to rest covered for 30-45 minutes, which relaxes gluten and develops a more tender, easier-to-roll pastry.
• Frying Precision: Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F for even browning and preventing greasy, undercooked pastry; use a thermometer for accuracy.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg