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Elephant Ears Recipe

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Elephant ears are crispy, golden pastries with a deliciously sweet and cinnamon-sugar coating. Popular at fairs and carnivals, these fried treats are similar to funnel cakes but with a flaky, flat texture. They’re easy to make at home and perfect for a fun dessert or snack!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Frying:

  • 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Make the Dough:

  • In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
  • Add butter, warm milk, and vanilla extract.
  • Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare for Frying:

  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).
  • Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl for coating.

3. Roll Out the Dough:

  • Divide the dough into 8-10 equal portions.
  • Roll each piece into a thin circle, about 1/4-inch thick.
  • Thinner dough will result in crispier elephant ears.

4. Fry the Elephant Ears:

  • Carefully place one dough circle at a time into the hot oil.
  • Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden and puffy.
  • Use tongs to transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

5. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:

  • Brush both sides of the fried dough with melted butter.
  • Immediately dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating thoroughly.

6. Serve:

  • Serve warm and enjoy as they are or with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or honey!

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can drizzle the elephant ears with caramel or chocolate sauce.
  • If you prefer baking, you can brush the dough with butter and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes until golden.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days but are best served fresh.