Elephant Ear Dutch Baby Food

ELEPHANT EARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Unfold the pastry sheet on a clean work surface. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar. Starting at each long side, fold the pastry toward the center, leaving a 1/4-inch space in the middle. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar. Fold one side over the other, making a 4-layer rectangle. Cut the rectangle into twelve 3/4-inch slices and put the slices cut-side down on baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
• Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Use a spatula to transfer them from the baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

"ELEPHANT EAR" DUTCH BABY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425. Mix the eggs, flour and milk in a blender on medium speed until just blended. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Pour the batter into the skillet over the melted butter.
• Place the skillet in the oven and bake until the top is puffy and golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. When the dutch baby is done, spread the butter over it with a pastry brush. Then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. You can cut the dutch baby into equal servings, but in our family, we like to put the whole thing on a large plate and just tear pieces off (again like an elephant ear!) :-).

ELEPHANT EARS

Steps:

• In small saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar and shortening. Heat until shortening melts and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm, 110 degrees F (43 degrees C). Sprinkle in yeast and let sit until foamy.
• Transfer mixture to large bowl, and stir in flour to make a dough. Knead until smooth, cover and let rise 30 minutes.
• In a large heavy skillet or deep fryer, heat 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Roll out 1 to 2 inch balls of dough into thin sheets. Fry sheets 1 to 2 minutes on a side, until puffed and golden. Drain on paper towels.
• Combine cinnamon and 6 tablespoons sugar. Sprinkle over warm pastries. Serve.