Flaky, buttery, and coated in a candy cinnamon-sugar crunch, Orejas—often known as Orejitas, Palmiers or Elephant Ears—are a traditional Mexican candy bread (pan dulce). With simply three substances, these golden beauties are unbelievably simple to make and ideal for serving with atole de vainilla, café de olla, or Mexican hot chocolate. Whether you’re celebrating Easter, Cinco de Mayo, or simply wish to add one thing candy to your morning cafecito, orejas at all times deliver that particular bakery-style aptitude.
What are Orejas?
Orejas—Spanish for “ears”—are a beloved sort of Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce) made by folding puff pastry with a beneficiant layer of cinnamon and sugar, then baking till crisp and golden. Their iconic curled form is what provides them their identify, usually in comparison with ears, hearts, and even butterfly wings.
Originally impressed by the French palmier, a fragile pastry formed like a palm leaf or butterfly, this deal with made its technique to Mexico and have become a panadería favourite. While the French model has many names—palm leaves, French hearts, even glasses—in Mexico, they’re affectionately generally known as orejas or orejitas and are sometimes barely crispier with that signature cinnamon-sugar crunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Customizable – Add melted butter for further caramelization if desired.
Only 3 substances – You doubtless have already got them readily available!
Fast and simple – Just roll, sprinkle, fold, slice, and bake.
Pairs superbly with conventional Mexican drinks like café de olla or Mexican hot chocolate.
Festive and enjoyable – Great for Easter brunch or a Cinco de Mayo dessert desk.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll have to make these crispy cinnamon-sugar orejas cookies:
- Puff pastry – Thawed within the fridge if frozen. You can use a butter-based pastry or one made with shortening.
- Granulated sugar and floor cinnamon
The full record of substances and detailed directions will be discovered within the printable recipe card beneath.
Optional Variation: Brushing with Butter
If you’re utilizing a butter puff pastry, like Dufour or Trader Joe’s, there’s no have to brush it with butter. The sugars will naturally caramelize superbly.
However, different manufacturers like Pepperidge Farm, are made with shortening. Now, I don’t essentially advocate it, however if you’d like extra of that deeply caramelized, sugary topping, go forward and brush the pastry evenly with melted butter earlier than including the cinnamon-sugar. It provides you that bakery-style golden crackle on high.
How to Make Orejas Cookies (Mexican Palmiers)
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture. In a small bowl, combine collectively 1 cup of sugar with 2 teaspoons of floor cinnamon.
Step 2: Roll Out the Puff Pastry. Place one sheet of puff pastry in your countertop (no flour wanted!). Lightly roll it out to flatten.Sprinkle a beneficiant layer of cinnamon-sugar excessive. Use a rolling pin to softly press the sugar into the dough.
Step 3: Fold the Dough. Fold about 1 inch of the fitting aspect towards the middle. Do the identical on the left aspect. Repeat the folding till either side meet within the heart. Sprinkle further cinnamon-sugar as wanted between folds.
Step 4: Slice and Shape. Cut the folded dough into ¾-inch slices. If desired, dip each bit into the remaining cinnamon-sugar for further crunch. Arrange the items on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Repeat. Repeat the method with the second sheet of puff pastry.
Step 6: Bake. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip each bit and bake for a further 4 to five minutes till golden and crisp.
Serving & Topping Suggestions
Orejas are finest loved contemporary from the oven or at room temperature, paired with a heat drink. Serve them with a comfortable mug of atole de vainilla, café de olla, or Mexican hot chocolate for a nostalgic deal with that tastes identical to a morning go to to the panadería. They additionally make an attractive addition to a brunch unfold alongside contemporary fruit, cheeses, or different Mexican candy breads. For a little bit further sparkle and crunch, be happy to mud them with extra cinnamon sugar proper earlier than serving.
Orejas (Palmiers) Expert Tips & Tricks
Don’t overcrowd the pan—they broaden as they bake.
No flour wanted when rolling out puff pastry.
Work rapidly—the dough is less complicated to fold and slice when it’s nonetheless chilled.
Flip midway by baking for even caramelization.
Storage Instructions
Store cooled orejas in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. If stacking, separate with parchment paper to maintain them from sticking. Reheat in a heat oven for a couple of minutes to deliver again that crisp texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orejas means “ears” in Spanish. In English, they’re usually known as Elephant Ears (orejas de elefante), although they’re often known as Palmiers in French.
In Italy, an analogous pastry is named Prussiane. They’re barely completely different in measurement however made with puff pastry and sugar, identical to orejas.
Orejitas means “little ears.” It’s only a cute or smaller model of orejas. The names are sometimes used interchangeably.
They’re a candy indulgence—made with puff pastry and sugar—so that they’re finest loved as an occasional deal with. But they’re so value it!
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