Quick & Easy Elephant Ears: Your 20-Minute Cinnamon Sugar Pastry Perfection
There’s something truly magical about a warm, freshly baked pastry, especially one that combines the comforting flavors of cinnamon and sugar. If you’ve been searching for a delightful treat that’s incredibly quick to make, look no further than these fantastic homemade Elephant Ears. While the name might conjure images of elaborate baking projects, this particular version is a simple, biscuit-like pastry that delivers big on flavor without requiring hours in the kitchen. In just about 20 minutes from start to finish, you can enjoy these golden, tender, and irresistibly sweet delights, making them an ideal choice for a spontaneous breakfast, a cozy brunch, or a satisfying dessert. Imagine the aroma of warm cinnamon filling your kitchen—that’s the promise of this easy recipe.
Have you ever had elephant ears before? The culinary world offers a couple of delightful interpretations of this charming name. The version we’re diving into today is akin to a mini cinnamon roll, but with its own unique texture and an unparalleled speed of preparation, making it a perfect quick breakfast solution. However, it’s worth noting that another popular treat also goes by the name “elephant ears,” which is more like a delicate, flaky cookie. These are often known as Palmiers, elegant French pastries made from puff pastry. I actually learned about the Palmiers version from my good friend Mary over at Barefeet in the Kitchen. When I mentioned I hadn’t tried them, she made sure to whip up a batch for us to enjoy together, showcasing the beautiful versatility of a sweet pastry! Both versions are wonderful, but this homemade Elephant Ears recipe holds a special place in our hearts for its comforting simplicity.
While Palmiers are undoubtedly delicious, my heart, and certainly my husband’s, belongs to this quicker, homestyle rendition of Elephant Ears. This is the version that takes us back to childhood, embodying a sense of warmth and nostalgia with every bite. It’s not just a recipe; it’s a story passed down through generations, making it all the more special. The recipe for these particular Elephant Ears first appeared in a kids’ magazine when my husband was young. He vividly remembers making them with his mom, turning a simple baking project into a cherished memory. They quickly became a staple in their household – much like their infamous Rice recipe, which holds a similar place in their family lore. This tradition speaks volumes about the simplicity and universal appeal of this delightful cinnamon sugar pastry.
My first encounter with these wonderful treats was during our college years when my husband made them for me. It was truly love at first bite. The moment I tasted the warm, sweet, cinnamon-laced pastry, I was instantly captivated. The ease of their preparation and their irresistible flavor made them an immediate favorite. They share some similarities with traditional cinnamon rolls in terms of flavor profile, with that classic sweet spice combination, but their texture sets them apart. These homemade Elephant Ears are less doughy and more biscuit-like, offering a delightful chewiness that’s distinct and incredibly satisfying. And the best part? There’s no messy frosting to deal with! The pure, unadulterated combination of cinnamon and sugar is more than enough to create an incredibly flavorful experience, making them a perfect, straightforward treat for any time of day.
What truly makes this Elephant Ears recipe a game-changer for anyone seeking a quick and easy dessert or breakfast is its incredible ease and speed. The dough comes together in literally just 5 minutes, requiring minimal effort and no complicated techniques. Unlike yeast-based doughs that demand extensive kneading and rising times, this recipe calls for a quick, gentle kneading of only about 10 times. Yes, you read that right – 10 times, not 10 minutes! This is crucial because it’s designed to be more like a biscuit dough; overworking it would develop too much gluten, leading to a tough, unappetizing pastry. The goal is simply to bring the ingredients together into a cohesive, soft dough, making the process almost foolproof. This simplicity makes it a fantastic option for even novice bakers, ensuring a delightful outcome every time. Just like our popular Cinnamon Roll Muffins, these treats embody the philosophy of quick and easy deliciousness, allowing you to enjoy a freshly baked goodie without the wait.
Crafting Your Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Elephant Ears
Once your simple dough is perfectly formed, the fun truly begins. You’ll roll out the dough into a rectangular shape, creating the canvas for our sweet masterpiece. This thin layer of dough is key to the texture of these delightful pastries. Then, a generous layer of melted butter is spread evenly across the entire surface. This butter not only adds richness but also acts as the perfect adhesive for the star ingredients: plenty of cinnamon and granulated sugar. The aroma alone as you sprinkle this fragrant mixture is enough to get your taste buds tingling! The dough is then easily rolled into a log, much like you would with traditional cinnamon rolls, capturing all that wonderful sweet filling inside. This rolling process is straightforward and quick, contributing to the overall speed of the recipe.
After carefully rolling the dough into a log, it’s time to transform it into individual Elephant Ears. The log is cut into about 5 pieces, each one promising a burst of cinnamon-sugar goodness. These pieces are then placed on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, ready for their transformation in the oven. A gentle press with the palm of your hand helps to flatten them slightly and gives them their characteristic “ear” shape – thin in the middle and slightly thicker at the edges, reminiscent of an elephant’s ear. A final light sprinkle of the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture adds an extra layer of sparkle and flavor before they head into the preheated oven. The baking process is incredibly fast, taking only about 8 to 10 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, just enough time for the pastry to turn golden brown and the cinnamon sugar to caramelize slightly. The result is a warm, tender, and utterly irresistible pastry that’s ready to be devoured almost as soon as it comes out of the oven, making these the ultimate 20-minute cinnamon sugar treat.
Tips for Elephant Ear Perfection
Achieving the perfect batch of these quick and easy Elephant Ears is simple, especially with a few helpful pointers:
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: This is perhaps the most crucial tip! Since this is a biscuit-like dough, excessive kneading will develop too much gluten, resulting in a tough, dense pastry. Just knead enough to bring the ingredients together, around 10 quick turns, until a cohesive ball forms.
- Even Rolling is Key: Try to roll the dough into an even rectangle, approximately 9×5 inches. This ensures consistent thickness across all your elephant ears, leading to even baking and a uniform texture in every delicious bite.
- Be Generous with the Filling: Don’t be shy with the melted butter and the cinnamon sugar mixture. These are the stars of the show! An even and ample spread ensures that every bite is bursting with that irresistible sweet and spicy flavor.
- Serve Warm for Best Experience: While still delicious at room temperature, these homemade Elephant Ears are truly at their best when served warm, straight from the oven. The slightly melted butter and gooey, caramelized cinnamon sugar create a heavenly experience that is hard to beat.
- Proper Storage: If you happen to have any leftovers (which is a rare occurrence in our household!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For a fresh-baked feel, you can briefly reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds or in a warm oven for a couple of minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions and Creative Twists
These cinnamon sugar Elephant Ears are wonderfully versatile and can elevate any meal or snack time. They make a fantastic addition to any breakfast or brunch spread, pairing perfectly with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, a soothing tea, or a refreshing glass of cold milk. Imagine a leisurely weekend morning, the comforting smell of warm cinnamon filling your kitchen as these delightful pastries bake to perfection – it’s a simple luxury that’s easily achieved. They’re also an excellent last-minute dessert to impress guests or a delightful pick-me-up snack to satisfy a sweet craving during the day. For an extra touch of visual appeal and flavor, you could lightly dust them with powdered sugar once they’ve cooled slightly, or for a truly indulgent experience, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a warm-and-cold dessert sensation.
Feeling adventurous and want to put your own spin on this classic quick pastry? While the classic cinnamon and sugar combination is a time-tested winner, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste. A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg or a dash of ground cardamom in the sugar mixture can add an intriguing depth of flavor and warmth. For a bright, citrusy twist, you could add a tiny bit of finely grated orange or lemon zest to the filling, which beautifully complements the cinnamon. You might even consider finely chopping some toasted pecans or walnuts and sprinkling them over the cinnamon sugar before rolling for an added nutty crunch and texture. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor this simple yet incredibly rewarding recipe to your personal preferences and impress your guests with a unique and personalized touch, all while keeping the preparation quick and effortless.
In conclusion, if you are looking for something a little different, yet incredibly satisfying and quick to prepare for your weekend breakfast or brunch, give these quick and easy Elephant Ears a try. They offer all the comfort of a homemade pastry with none of the fuss, making them an instant family favorite that you’ll want to make again and again. Their simple ingredients and straightforward process mean you can have a warm, delicious treat on the table in no time. And who knows, maybe later in the day, you can even explore the delightful cookie version of elephant ears (Palmiers) for a different kind of sweet adventure, expanding your pastry horizons with minimal effort!
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Elephant Ears
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Equipment
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Rolling Pin
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Full Sheet Pan
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Silicon Baking Mat
Ingredients
Dough
- 1/4 cup butter, melted and divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup milk
Filling
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
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Mix the flour, 2 Tbls sugar, salt, and baking powder together. Stir in the milk, and 3 Tbls of the butter. Once the dough forms a ball, knead dough about 10 times.
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In a separate bowl mix together the filling.
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Using a rolling pin, roll the dough on a floured surface into about a 9×5 rectangle.
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Spread the remaining 1 Tbls of butter on the dough. Sprinkle with almost all of the filling mixture. Leave a tiny bit, to sprinkle on top before you bake.
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Roll into a log, and then cut into 5 pieces. Put them on a greased or lined cookie sheet, and press down gently with the palm of your hand. Sprinkle lightly with the rest of the sugar mixture.
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Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. They are best served warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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