Elephant ear cookies: they’re thin, crispy, perfectly sweet, and always a crowd-pleaser. But have you ever wondered why they’re named after elephants? It’s all in the shape! These delightful treats puff up in the oven, resembling the large, floppy ears of our beloved pachyderm friends.
Whether you call them elephant ears, palmiers, or butterfly cookies, one thing’s for sure: they’re incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to make at home. That’s right, you don’t need a fancy bakery to enjoy these delightful treats. With this simple guide, you’ll be baking up a batch of your own in no time!
Gather Your Ingredients:
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed according to package directions)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
Optional Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (for a warm, spiced flavor)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (for added crunch)
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Don’t have puff pastry? You can use a pie crust in a pinch, but the cookies won’t be as light and flaky.
- No granulated sugar? Brown sugar can be used as a substitute, adding a touch of molasses flavor.
Tools of the Trade:
Baking is always more fun with the right tools! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Rolling pin
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Fork
Let’s Bake!
Now for the fun part – let’s transform these simple ingredients into irresistible elephant ear cookies!
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry onto the floured surface.
- Using your rolling pin, gently roll out the puff pastry into a 12-inch square.
Step 3: Create the Cinnamon Sugar Magic
- In your small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- If you’re adding nutmeg or chopped nuts, now’s the time to mix them in!
Step 4: The Egg Wash Glaze
- In another small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water. This will create an egg wash that will give your cookies a beautiful golden brown color.
Step 5: Assemble the Ears
- Brush the entire surface of the rolled-out puff pastry with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the egg wash, ensuring all edges are covered.
- Gently press the sugar mixture into the dough.
Step 6: Shaping the Elephant Ears
- Fold the dough in half, then in half again, to create a smaller square.
- Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1/2-inch strips.
- Twist each strip a couple of times and place it on your prepared baking sheet.
Elephant Ear Cookies (Raw)
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed and golden brown.
- Keep a close eye on them towards the end of baking time – they can go from golden to over-browned quickly!
Step 8: Cooling and Enjoying
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. They will crisp up as they cool.
- Once cooled, these cookies are ready to be enjoyed!
Elephant Ear Cookies (Baked)
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can bake the cookies up to 2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Q: My cookies didn’t puff up as much as I’d hoped. What happened?
A: This is usually caused by the oven temperature being too low or not rolling out the puff pastry thin enough. Make sure your oven is properly preheated and aim for a 1/8-inch thickness when rolling out the dough.
Q: Can I freeze elephant ear cookies?
A: Yes, you can freeze the unbaked cookies for up to 2 months. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Expert Tips:
- For extra crispy cookies, bake them on the lower rack of your oven. This allows them to get closer to the heat source.
- Don’t overcrowd your baking sheet. Give the cookies some space to puff up and ensure even baking.
- Get creative with flavors! Try adding different spices like cardamom or ginger to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
There you have it – a foolproof recipe for irresistible elephant ear cookies! They’re the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, impress your guests, or simply enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
