Ina Garten’s Crispy Elephant Ears Recipe: A Sweet Delight

Elephant ears bring a whimsical sweetness that transforms ordinary moments into delightful culinary experiences.

These crispy, golden pastries dance with caramelized sugar and warm spices, creating a sensory celebration.

The simplicity of the ingredients belies the complex layers of flavor and texture waiting to be savored.

Crisp edges and soft centers make elephant ears an irresistible indulgence that connects generations through shared joy.

Elegant yet unpretentious, they represent comfort and nostalgia in every delectable bite.

You can elevate any gathering with these crowd-pleasing delicacies that spark conversation and delight.

Why Ina Garten Elephant Ears Are Delightfully Crisp

• Create Sweet Restaurant-Style Pastries: Transform simple puff pastry into elegant, professional-looking elephant ears that look like they came straight from a high-end bakery with minimal effort.
• Enjoy Delightful Caramelized Crunch: Experience a magical transformation where sugar melts into a golden, crispy coating that provides an incredible textural contrast between the flaky pastry and the crunchy caramelized exterior.
• Master Quick Impressive Dessert: Whip up a sophisticated treat in under 20 minutes using just a few pantry ingredients, making it perfect for unexpected guests or sudden dessert cravings without complex baking skills.

Ingredients for Sweet and Buttery Elephant Ears

Main Ingredients:

• Puff Pastry: A delicate, buttery dough that creates flaky, light layers essential for classic elephant ear pastries.
• Cinnamon, Sugar: Perfect sweet-spicy combination that caramelizes and adds rich flavor to the pastry surface.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall sweetness and balances the sugary flavor profile.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking of delicate pastry slices.

How to Roll and Bake Elephant Ears Like Ina

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.

Step 2: Create Sugar Base

• Marble slab
• Wooden cutting board

Gently unfold the puff pastry sheet directly onto this sweet foundation.

Step 3: Add Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• Sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Evenly distribute the fragrant mixture across the entire surface of the puff pastry.

Step 4: Fold the Pastry

Carefully fold the pastry edges toward the center, creating a symmetrical shape. Repeat the folding process so the edges meet in the middle. Think of closing a book – you’ll end up with 6 delicate layers.

Step 5: Roll and Press

Use a rolling pin to gently flatten the folded pastry into a 13-inch square. Press additional sugar onto both surfaces, ensuring a crispy caramelized exterior.

Step 6: Slice and Arrange

Cut the pastry into 3/8-inch thick slices. Place these pieces sugar-side up on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between each pastry.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 6 minutes until the bottom turns a rich, caramel brown. Flip the pastries using a spoon and continue baking for 3-5 more minutes.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Transfer the freshly baked elephant ears to a cooling rack. Allow them to crisp up and reach room temperature before serving.

Tips for Flaky Elephant Ear Layers

• Thaw with Care: Let the puff pastry rest at room temperature for 30-40 minutes to ensure smooth, effortless unfolding without cracking or tearing.
• Sugar Sprinkle Technique: Use a fine-mesh sieve to distribute the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly, creating a delicate, uniform coating that caramelizes beautifully.
• Fold Like a Pro: Work quickly and confidently when folding the pastry to maintain its delicate structure and create those signature crispy, flaky layers.
• Baking Sheet Magic: Use a light-colored, rimmed baking sheet to prevent over-browning and promote even heat distribution for perfectly golden elephant ears.
• Cooling Wisdom: Allow the pastries to cool on a wire rack for maximum crispness, preventing condensation that could make them soggy.

Keep Elephant Ears Crisp with These Storage Tricks

• Airtight Container Method: Seal cooled elephant ears in a sturdy container with a tight-fitting lid, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keeps pastries crisp and fresh at room temperature for 48 hours.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Arrange elephant ears in a single layer on a lined baking sheet, ensuring no pastries touch. Flash freeze for 30 minutes, then transfer to a vacuum-sealed freezer bag, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Maintains quality for up to three months with minimal texture loss.
• Moisture Control Method: Wrap individual elephant ears in wax paper before storing to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess. Store in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which can compromise the delicate pastry's texture and flavor.

Ina’s Ideas for Spicing Up Your Elephant Ears

• Chocolate Swirl Elephant Ears: Sprinkle cocoa powder mixed with sugar onto the puff pastry before folding, creating a rich chocolate-infused version of the classic treat.
• Nutty Cinnamon Crunch: Incorporate finely chopped almonds or pecans into the sugar mixture for an added crunch and nutty flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Maple Glazed Elephant Ears: Replace some sugar with pure maple syrup and add a light maple glaze after baking to bring a warm, autumnal sweetness to the pastry.
• Spiced Orange Elephant Ears: Mix orange zest and a pinch of cardamom into the sugar coating to introduce a bright, aromatic dimension to the classic pastry.

The Crisp Conclusion to a Sweet Pastry

Sweet cinnamon swirls of French pastry magic dance on kitchen counters worldwide.

Ina Garten’s elephant ears promise delectable moments of culinary pleasure.

Sugary layers create crisp, golden-edged treats that spark joy with each delicate bite.

Classic puff pastry transforms simple ingredients into elegant French-inspired delicacies.

Crisp caramelized edges and rich sugar crystals guarantee sensational flavor profiles.

Baker’s secret techniques unlock heavenly pastry perfection – share this recipe, tag passionate bakers, and spread deliciousness across social media networks!

Ina Garten Elephant Ears Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s elephant ears bring classic French pastry charm to home kitchens with simple, buttery elegance. Crisp, golden puff pastry spirals deliver sweet caramelized crunch that delights dessert lovers seeking delightful homemade treats.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup sugar, divided

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 pinch kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius), preparing a clean, flat surface like a marble countertop or wooden cutting board.
2. Sprinkle of granulated sugar and kosher salt evenly across the surface, then carefully lay the puff pastry sheet directly onto the sugar mixture.
3. Create a cinnamon-sugar blend by thoroughly mixing of sugar with ground cinnamon, then distribute the mixture uniformly across the entire surface of the pastry.
4. Carefully fold the pastry edges toward the center, creating symmetrical halves. Repeat the folding process so the edges meet precisely in the middle, then close the pastry like a book, resulting in a compact six-layered rectangle.
5. Gently use a rolling pin to flatten the folded pastry into a 13-inch (33 centimeters) square, ensuring the sugar is pressed firmly into both sides of the dough.
6. Slice the pastry into uniform pieces approximately 3/8-inch (1 centimeter) thick, positioning them sugar-side up on parchment-lined baking sheets.
7. Bake for 6 minutes until the bottom caramelizes to a rich golden brown, then carefully flip the pastries using a spoon and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until both sides achieve a perfect caramelized finish.
8. Transfer the palmiers to a cooling rack, allowing them to crisp and set at room temperature before serving.

Notes

• Quick thawing prevents puff pastry from cracking when unfolding, giving you smooth, manageable dough for perfect twists.
• Gentle sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar creates a balanced, delicate sweetness that enhances the buttery pastry layers.
• Substituting ingredients might compromise the recipe’s signature flaky texture, so stick to classic puff pastry for best results.
• Watching the golden-brown edges during baking ensures a crisp, perfectly caramelized exterior without burning.
• Preheating transforms your oven into a pastry-rising powerhouse, guaranteeing those irresistible, puffy layers every time.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg