Imen This Ina Garten elephant ears recipe is a crisp and caramelized pastry, which uses puff pastry and cinnamon sugar for an easy, bakery-style treat. It’s a quick dessert, perfect for holidays, parties, or afternoon snacks, ready in about 15 minutes.
Ina Garten Elephant Ears Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- Pinch kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted
How To Make Ina Garten Elephant Ears
- Prepare oven and pans: Preheat oven to 450°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Sugar the work surface: Sprinkle ½ cup sugar and a pinch of salt onto a clean surface. Place puff pastry on top.
- Add cinnamon sugar: Mix remaining ½ cup sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over pastry.
- Roll and press: Roll pastry to a 13-inch square, pressing sugar into both sides.
- Fold and slice: Fold edges toward center repeatedly to create a 6-layer log. Slice into ⅜-inch pieces.
- Bake until golden: Place pieces cut-side up on prepared sheets. Bake 6 minutes, flip, then bake 3–5 more minutes until golden and caramelized.
- Cool and serve: Transfer to a rack to cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Can I make elephant ears ahead of time? Yes, store baked pastries in an airtight container for 1–2 days.
- What type of puff pastry works best? All-butter puff pastry gives the best flavor and flakiness.
- Can I freeze them? Yes, freeze unbaked slices and bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
- How to get extra caramelization? Press sugar firmly into the dough before folding to ensure it sticks.
- Can I make them savory? Skip the cinnamon sugar and use grated parmesan and herbs instead.
What To Serve With Ina Garten Elephant Ears
These pastries pair well with:
- Coffee or tea
- Hot chocolate
- Fresh fruit
- Whipped cream or ice cream
- A holiday dessert platter
How To Store Ina Garten Elephant Ears
Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for 1–2 days.
Freeze: Freeze unbaked pieces on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen when needed.
Ina Garten Elephant Ears Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 46 kcal
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Yes, frozen puff pastry works perfectly and saves time.
Do I need to thaw puff pastry before baking?
Yes, thaw overnight in the fridge or for 30 minutes at room temperature until pliable.
Can I add other spices?
Yes, nutmeg or cardamom can add a warm twist to the cinnamon-sugar mix.
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Ina Garten Elephant Ears
Description
Flaky puff pastry cookies coated in caramelized cinnamon sugar—easy to make and ready in about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Sprinkle ½ cup sugar + salt on surface; place pastry on top.
- Mix remaining sugar + cinnamon; sprinkle over pastry.
- Roll to 13″ square; press sugar into both sides.
- Fold into 6-layer log; slice into ⅜″ pieces.
- Place cut-side-up on sheets; bake 6 minutes, flip, bake 3–5 more minutes.
- Cool on rack and serve.
