Homemade Elephant Ears

A stack of fried dough topped with cinnamon sugar

Bring the county fair home with these light and crispy Homemade Elephant Ears. They taste just like the fried dough you'd find at the fair! Top with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or Nutella for a sweet and easy treat.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword beaver tails recipe, elephant ear pastry, fried dough

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1 30

Servings Servings

Calories 220kcal

Author Katie Cooksey

Ingredients

1/4 cup warm tap water aim for 107-110° F
1/4 cup milk aim for 107-110° F
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter
.25 oz quick rise yeast 1 packet
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
2-2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
any light colored oil for frying such as canola, vegetable or peanut oil

sweet toppings (optional)-

sugar
cinnamon
lemon juice
nutella

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In large bowl pour in hot water and 1 teaspoon of the measured sugar. Sprinkle yeast over top and stir. Set aside to proof, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in microwave safe bowl, heat milk, butter and remaining sugar to melt butter and dissolve sugar. Stir to cool--you want it to be a little warmer than room temperature, but not scalding to kill the yeast.
Pour butter liquid into yeast mixture and stir. Whisk in egg and salt. Stir in flour using 1/2 cup increments until it forms a dough.
Knead dough 2-3 minutes until a slightly sticky dough has formed, adding more flour when necessary. The dough is ready when you press it gently with your finger and it springs back.
Place in a warm area of the house and allow to rise for at least one hour. Your oven with just the oven light on is a perfect spot!
Once doubled in size, punch dough down and cut into 8 equal pieces.
Preheat oil in fryer or deep skillet to 350° F, over medium heat on the stove top.
Roll dough out to be long ovals that are 1/4-1/8 inch thick...or should I say thin. Carefully place in hot oil and fry 20-30 seconds per side. (See recipe tips at bottom.)
Once dough has finished cooking remove from oil and hold it over the pan to let the excess oil drip off of it. Then immediately coat in cinnamon sugar--a classic combination! You could also place on paper towels and then spread on Nutella, lemon juice, or topping of your choice.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Your oil should be hot enough to get a medium to lightly dark brown color on them within 30 seconds. Aim for 350° F. The dough will puff up, so you may want to cut a slit in the middle to cook the dough evenly. You could also press the middle down into the oil using tongs.

Nutrition