How to Make Elephant Ear Bread

by Candi Lemon

Overview

Elephant ears are traditionally fried bread sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. The dough mix uses yeast and gets formed into balls before frying, the bread disks don't always come out round and mostly resemble the ears of elephants, hence the name. Today, there are many variations and names for elephant ears, some are baked and some use frozen dough, but if you are craving the fried bread taste from your carnival visit, you can make your own elephant ears.

Step 1

Mix the milk, sugar, salt and canola oil in a large bowl. Add the yeast to the warm water and pour over the milk mixture and beat.
Step 2

Stir the flour into the milk and yeast mixture gradually while mixing. The dough should feel stiff at this point. Add more flour if needed to add stiffness.
Step 3

Turn out the dough into the lightly floured board or surface and knead until elastic. Place it in the large bowl again and let sit covered until it doubles in size; about an hour.
Step 4

Divide the dough into six balls. Roll each into 1/8 inch-thick round or square pieces.
Step 5

Heat cooking oil in a frying pan to 375 degrees. Fry the elephant ears, one at a time, for three to five minutes on each side until golden brown.
Step 6

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve warm.

3
Large bowl Mixer 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. canola oil 2 tsp. yeast 3/4 cup warm water 3 cups flour Floured board Rolling pin Cooking oil Skillet or frying pan Cinnamon sugar
Large bowl
Mixer
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. canola oil
2 tsp. yeast
3/4 cup warm water
3 cups flour
Floured board
Rolling pin
Cooking oil
Skillet or frying pan
Cinnamon sugar
Exercise caution when using hot frying oil.
Exercise caution when using hot frying oil.

References & Resources