Knee Patches, or Elephant Ears Amish Confection Recipe
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 48 cookies
Description:
Indulge in the delightful tradition of Amish confections with these Knee Patches, also known as Elephant Ears, crafted to perfection with love and care. Each bite offers a crispy, golden exterior with a hint of sweetness and cinnamon, reminiscent of simpler times and cherished homemade treats.
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 pinches of salt
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs until they turn light and pale yellow, indicating a fluffy texture.
- Add in the vanilla extract, salt, and heavy whipping cream, blending the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
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Incorporate the Flour:
- Gradually add the unbleached all-purpose flour to the mixture, beating it well until a stiff dough forms.
- If using a mixer with a dough hook, this step can be done efficiently with the machine.
-
Knead the Dough:
- On a floured surface, knead the dough for about ten minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Alternatively, if your mixer has a dough hook, you can use it to knead the dough until it reaches the desired consistency.
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Preheat the Oil:
- Preheat the cooking oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it reaches the optimal temperature for frying.
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Shape the Cookies:
- Pinch off portions of dough roughly the size of a large marble and roll them out thinly on a floured surface, aiming for a diameter of about 4 inches.
- Cover your knees with a tea towel and stretch the dough thinly over them while in a sitting position, ensuring it is spread evenly.
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Fry the Cookies:
- Carefully place two stretched dough pieces into the hot oil, frying them until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Turn the cookies once during frying, allowing each side to cook evenly for approximately two minutes.
- As they fry, the dough will blister and puff up, resembling the texture of pita bread.
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Drain and Cool:
- Once fully cooked, remove the cookies from the oil and shake off any excess oil before transferring them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
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Final Touch:
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, combine the icing sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl, sifting the mixture lightly over the top of each cookie.
- This final touch adds a delightful sweetness and aroma, enhancing the flavor of the cookies.
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Enjoy:
- These Knee Patches, or Elephant Ears, are best enjoyed fresh on the same day they are made, offering a crispy, flavorful treat that embodies the essence of Amish confections.
- Remember that these cookies are best consumed promptly, as they do not retain their freshness for an extended period.
Indulge in the simple pleasures of homemade goodness with these delightful Amish-inspired cookies, perfect for sharing with family and friends or savoring as a special treat for yourself. With their crispy texture, subtle sweetness, and aromatic cinnamon flavor, these Knee Patches are sure to become a beloved addition to your baking repertoire.
