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Homemade Elephant Ears
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.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
8
Servings
Calories:
220 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water aim for 107-110° F, warm, tap water
- 1/4 cup milk aim for 107-110° F
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- .25 oz yeast 1 packet, quick rise
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2-2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- light colored oil such as canola, vegetable or peanut oil, for frying; any type
sweet toppings (optional)-
- sugar
- cinnamon
- lemon juice
- Nutella
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.
Cup of Yum
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 Information
Calories
220kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
0.2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
35mg
(12%)
Sodium
338mg
(14%)
Potassium
72mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
177IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
0.003mg
(0%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 220
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 220kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 338mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 72mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 177IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0.003mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.