Recipe: Elephant Ears 🐘🍽️
Description: This delightful recipe for Elephant Ears, originating from ‘Culinaria The United States – A Culinary Discovery,’ is a cherished favorite among both chefs and home cooks alike. Crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside, these Elephant Ears are sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day!
Category: Yeast Breads 🍞
Keywords: Breads, Healthy, Weeknight, Stove Top, < 4 Hours ⏳
Servings: 16-20 Elephant Ears 🥖
| Cook Time | Prep Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 2 hours 15 minutes | 2 hours 20 minutes |
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup butter
- 1 packet (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 5 1/2 – 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 eggs
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
-
Prepare Milk Mixture:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk with the butter until the butter melts completely. Set aside and allow it to cool to lukewarm temperature.
-
Activate Yeast:
- In a small bowl, stir the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar into warm water. Let it stand until foamy, approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
-
Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk mixture with the yeast mixture. Add 2 1/2 cups of flour, salt, and nutmeg. Stir until a smooth batter forms.
-
First Rise:
- Cover the bowl and let the mixture stand until it becomes bubbly, approximately 30 minutes.
-
Incorporate Eggs and Flour:
- Once the mixture is bubbly, stir in the beaten eggs. Gradually add additional flour until a soft but not sticky dough forms.
-
Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth, supple, and elastic, which should take about 8 minutes.
-
Second Rise:
- Return the dough to the bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
-
Divide and Shape:
- After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Then, further divide each piece into 4 or 5 smaller pieces.
-
Fry the Dough:
- In a large, deep pan, such as a chicken fryer or heavy Dutch oven, heat several inches of oil to about 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Shape and Fry Elephant Ears:
- Working with one piece at a time, shape the dough into large disks, approximately 10 inches long and 6 inches wide. Carefully fry each disk, turning once, until they are nicely browned on both sides.
-
Serve:
- Once fried, drain the Elephant Ears on paper towels to remove excess oil. While still hot, sprinkle them generously with confectioners’ sugar or cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately and enjoy the crispy, sweet goodness!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 245.2
- Fat: 4.9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Cholesterol: 45.2mg
- Sodium: 194.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 43.3g
- Fiber: 1.3g
- Sugar: 9.5g
- Protein: 6.5g
These Elephant Ears are a true delight, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and texture that will surely please your taste buds. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat or a comforting snack, they are bound to become a family favorite. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to indulge in the deliciousness of homemade Elephant Ears! 🐘🍩
