Crispy Elephant Ear Cookies with Chocolate Bits

Elephant Ears Recipe

Description

Elephant Ears are delicate, ultra-thin cookies that spread wide during baking, creating a unique texture where the chocolate bits rise slightly above the thin, crispy surface. These delectable treats are a quick and delightful addition to any dessert table, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and a satisfying crunch.

Cooking and Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Keywords

Dessert
Cookie & Brownie
< 30 Mins

Ingredients

Flour: 3/4 cup
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon
Butter (softened): 1/2 cup (1 stick) + additional for smearing foil
Granulated Sugar: 6 tablespoons
Brown Sugar (packed): 6 tablespoons
Vanilla Extract: 1/2 teaspoon
Egg: 1 large
Chocolate Bits: 1/2 – 1 cup (depending on preference)

Nutritional Information (per cookie)

Calories: 100.8
Fat Content: 5.3g
Saturated Fat Content: 3.2g
Cholesterol Content: 19.1mg
Sodium Content: 106.4mg
Carbohydrate Content: 12.6g
Fiber Content: 0.4g
Sugar Content: 9g
Protein Content: 0.9g

Yield

Recipe Yield: Approximately 24 ears

Instructions

Sift together the dry ingredients: Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. Sifting ensures that the dry ingredients are well-mixed and aerated, which helps create a lighter texture in the final cookie.
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Blend together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with both sugars and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough, which contributes to the cookie’s texture.
Beat in the egg: Add the egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined. The egg helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
Add flour to the mixture: Gradually incorporate the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir just until combined to avoid over-mixing, which can make the cookies tough.
Fold in chocolate bits: Gently fold in the chocolate bits, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Adjust the quantity of chocolate bits based on your preference for chocolate intensity.
Line cookie sheet with foil and warm in oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place it in the oven to warm up. Warming the sheet helps the cookies spread more evenly.
Smear foil with butter: Remove the warmed baking sheet from the oven and smear the foil with additional butter. This step prevents the cookies from sticking and adds a touch of buttery flavor.
Drop dough by teaspoonfuls: Using a teaspoon, drop small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving plenty of room for the cookies to spread. These cookies will spread significantly, so space them accordingly.
Bake for 5 minutes: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 5 minutes. Watch the cookies carefully as they bake to prevent burning. The edges should turn golden brown while the centers remain slightly pale.
Remove when edges are brown: When the edges of the cookies are browned, remove them from the oven. They may not look completely done, but they will continue to cook and firm up as they cool.
Cool slightly: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet. This step helps them set and makes them easier to lift off the foil.
Lift off with a spatula and drain on paper towels: Carefully lift the cookies off the foil using a spatula and place them on paper towels to drain and cool completely. The paper towels will absorb any excess butter, ensuring the cookies remain crisp.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Chocolate Variation: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate bits, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate. Each type will give a unique flavor profile to your Elephant Ears.
Nuts and Add-ins: For added texture and flavor, consider folding in some chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, along with the chocolate bits. Dried fruit such as cranberries or raisins can also be a delightful addition.
Storing the Cookies: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
Serving Suggestions: These cookies are perfect for serving at parties, as a sweet snack with tea or coffee, or even as an after-dinner treat. Their thin, crispy texture makes them an ideal accompaniment to ice cream or pudding.
Baking Sheet Preparation: If you find that your cookies are spreading too much, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps control the spread and results in a thicker cookie.
Preventing Over-browning: To ensure even baking and prevent the cookies from burning, you can use a light-colored baking sheet. Darker sheets tend to absorb more heat and can cause the cookies to brown too quickly.

Historical Context and Variations

Elephant Ears, as a culinary concept, are often associated with fairgrounds and carnivals, where they typically refer to fried dough sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. However, in the realm of cookies, Elephant Ears are distinct for their crispiness and the way they spread thin during baking.

This recipe is a unique twist on traditional drop cookies, emphasizing a balance between the rich buttery flavor and the slight bitterness of chocolate. The technique of spreading the dough thinly ensures a crisp texture that differentiates these cookies from thicker, chewier varieties.

While this version focuses on a simple chocolate addition, there are numerous variations you can explore. For instance, adding a hint of cinnamon or espresso powder to the dough can enhance the flavor profile. Alternatively, drizzling the cooled cookies with melted chocolate or caramel can provide an extra layer of decadence.

Conclusion

Elephant Ears cookies are a delightful treat that combines ease of preparation with a sophisticated texture and flavor. Their quick baking time and minimal ingredient list make them an ideal choice for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute dessert needs. By following the detailed instructions and incorporating the suggested tips, you can achieve perfect Elephant Ears that are sure to impress and satisfy any sweet tooth.

Whether enjoyed on their own, paired with a beverage, or used as a creative base for dessert presentations, these cookies are versatile and universally appealing. Embrace the simplicity and elegance of Elephant Ears, and let them become a staple in your baking repertoire.