County Fair Elephant Ears

You don't need to find a county fair to have the treat known as 'elephant ears.' Make your own lighter oven-baked version at home with this recipe.

• Calories: 717 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup warm water
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
• 3 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup milk, scalded and cooled

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter, as for pastry.

Step 2

Soften yeast in water. Combine milk, egg yolk and softened yeast. Add to flour mixture and mix well.

Step 3

Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Step 4

Place dough on a lightly floured cutting board and knead lightly. Cover with a cloth and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

Step 5

Roll dough into a rectangle, 10x18 inches, and brush with soft butter. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over dough. Roll as for jelly roll, sealing the edge. The roll should be 18 inches long.

Step 6

Cut dough into 1-inch slices.

Step 7

Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon on a large square of waxed paper or aluminum foil. Place slices, one at a time, on sugar mixture and roll into 5-inch balls.

Step 8

Sprinkle nuts on top and press gently.

Step 9

Place dough on ungreased cookie sheets, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon of the sugar-cinnamon mixture.

Step 10

Bake immediately in a preheated 400 degree oven about 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.