Flaky Elephant Ears Recipe: Ina Garten’s Sweet Masterpiece

Sweet, crispy, and irresistibly golden, these Ina Garten elephant ears pastries are a delightful treat that will sweep you off your feet.

Buttery layers of flaky dough dance with caramelized sugar, creating a magical bakery-style experience right in your kitchen.

Each bite promises a delicate crunch that melts perfectly on your tongue.

The recipe captures the essence of classic French pastry with a touch of whimsy.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore this simple yet elegant dessert.

With just a few ingredients and some basic technique, you can craft these stunning pastries that look like they’ve been plucked from a charming Parisian bakery.

Grab your rolling pin and let’s turn ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary sweet sensation.

How to Bake Crispy Elephant Ears the Ina Way

Sugary Swirl Pastry Delights

• Sugar Canvas Preparation

Sprinkle a generous layer of granulated sugar and a pinch of salt across a clean flat surface like a wooden board or marble countertop.

• Pastry Foundation

Gently unfold the delicate puff pastry sheet onto the sugar landscape, ensuring it’s fully coated with sweet crystals.

• Cinnamon Magic

Create a warm spice mixture by blending ground cinnamon with additional sugar, then lovingly spread this aromatic coating across the entire pastry surface.

• Elegant Folding Technique

Carefully fold the pastry edges toward the center, creating symmetrical sections. Continue folding until the dough forms a compact rectangular shape with multiple delicate layers.

• Rolling and Shaping

Use a rolling pin to softly flatten the folded pastry, transforming it into a perfect square while pressing extra sugar into both surfaces.

• Baking Transformation

Position the pastry slices on parchment-lined baking sheets, then slide into a sizzling hot oven to caramelize and develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior.

• Finishing Touch

Flip the pastries midway through baking to ensure an even, crispy caramelization on both sides. Once perfectly bronzed, transfer to a cooling rack and enjoy these heavenly treats.

Tips to Make Ina Garten’s Elephant Ears Your Own

• Use a light touch when spreading sugar to ensure even coating without clumping, creating perfectly crisp and golden elephant ears every time.
• Experiment with different spice blends like cardamom, nutmeg, or chai mix instead of traditional cinnamon for unique flavor profiles that'll surprise your taste buds.
• Keep puff pastry chilled until just before use to maintain its delicate, flaky texture and prevent sticking during the folding process.
• Store cooled elephant ears in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crisp edges.
• Prepare the folded pastry ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, allowing you to have fresh, warm treats ready with minimal last-minute prep.

Ways to Serve Ina Garten Elephant Ears at Dessert

• Serve with Coffee Companion: Pair these crispy, caramelized elephant ears with a steaming hot espresso or cappuccino for a delightful morning or afternoon treat.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange the elephant ears on a beautiful serving plate alongside fresh berries, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an elegant dessert presentation.
• Share as Party Snacks: Break the elephant ears into smaller pieces and serve them at gatherings, game nights, or as a sweet appetizer that will wow your guests with their golden, sugary crunch.
• Gift as Homemade Treats: Wrap the cooled elephant ears in parchment paper or place them in a decorative box to give as a charming homemade gift for friends and family.

Store Elephant Ears Without Losing Their Crunch

• Refresh Quickly: Store elephant ears in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their crispy texture.
• Extend Enjoyment: Freeze unbaked pastry rolls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 1 month, thawing in the refrigerator before baking.
• Serve Smart: Best enjoyed within hours of baking for maximum crunchiness and caramelized sugar flavor.
• Revive Staleness: Briefly warm in the oven at 300 degrees for 3-5 minutes to restore original crispness if cookies become soft.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 8

Gather These for Ina Garten Elephant Ears

• Puff Pastry: Delicate, buttery foundation that creates flaky, golden layers with rich texture and light crispness.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall sweetness and balances the sugary flavors with a subtle mineral depth.

• Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon: Dynamic duo that transforms ordinary pastry into a caramelized, warmly spiced treat with deep golden-brown edges and irresistible aroma.

• Marble Slab or Wooden Board: Provides a clean, smooth workspace that helps evenly distribute sugar and allows precise pastry shaping without sticking.

Tools That Help Shape Ina Garten Elephant Ears

• Rolling Pin: Essential for evenly flattening and shaping the puff pastry dough.
• Marble Slab or Wooden Board: Provides a clean, flat surface for spreading sugar and working with pastry.
• Baking Sheets: Used to bake the elephant ears and create a golden, caramelized finish.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Spoon: Helps turn the pastries during baking for even caramelization.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures precise sugar and salt measurements.
• Small Bowl: Useful for mixing cinnamon and sugar.

Crispy Ina Garten Elephant Ears Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s elephant ears pastry delivers classic French bakery magic with crisp, caramelized edges. Delicate puff pastry promises sweet satisfaction, inviting you to savor each buttery, golden-brown bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 sheet puff pastry (defrosted)
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar, divided
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prep Surface: Dust marble or wooden cutting board with granulated sugar and kosher salt, creating a textured base for pastry.
2. Pastry Layering: Position puff pastry sheet onto sugar-salt surface, then generously sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture across entire pastry landscape.
3. Precise Folding: Methodically fold pastry edges toward center, creating symmetrical halves that meet precisely in middle, transforming dough into compact six-layered rectangle.
4. Flattening Technique: Roll pastry into 13-inch square, ensuring sugar integrates thoroughly into both pastry surfaces with firm, even pressure.
5. Slicing Formation: Cut pastry into uniform 3/8-inch thick segments, arranging sugar-side up on parchment-lined baking sheets.
6. Caramelization Process: Roast in preheated 450°F oven for 6 minutes until bottom transforms to golden brown, then flip using spoon and continue baking 3-5 minutes for complete caramelized transformation.
7. Cooling Completion: Transfer palmiers to cooling rack, allowing crisp texture to develop and stabilize at room temperature before serving.

Notes

• Prep Surface Strategically: Use marble or wooden cutting board for even sugar distribution and pastry handling.
• Sugar Technique Matters: Sprinkle sugar and salt before placing pastry to ensure maximum caramelization and flavor infusion.
• Precise Folding is Key: Fold pastry edges exactly to center, creating six symmetrical layers for optimal texture and crispiness.
• Baking Timing is Critical: Watch closely during 6-9 minute baking window to achieve perfect golden-brown caramelization without burning.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg