Orejas pan dulce is a popular pastry for several reasons. Firstly, the pastry is made from laminated dough, which involves repeatedly folding and rolling the dough to create multiple layers. This creates a unique flaky texture that is crispy, and which melts in your mouth. The texture of the pastry is light and airy, making it easy to eat and enjoyable.
Secondly, orejas pan dulce is usually sprinkled with sugar, which gives it a slightly sweet flavor. The sugar also caramelizes during baking, adding a delicious crunchy texture to the pastry. The sweetness of the pastry is not overpowering, making it a great choice for breakfast or as a light snack.
Finally, orejas pan dulce is a versatile pastry that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be eaten plain, served alongside coffee or tea, or paired with other foods such as fresh fruit or yogurt. It can also be used as a base for other desserts, such as a crust for a fruit tart or a topping for ice cream.
If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Mexican Croissant Recipe or my Pan de Muerto Recipe.
Jump to:
- What are Orejas Pan Dulce?
- What is the history of Orejas?
- Why you will love this recipe
- Orejas Recipe Ingredients
- How to make Orejas Recipe
- Are Palmiers and Orejas the same thing?
- Substitutions
- Mexican Orejas Recipe Variations
- Equipment
- How to store Orejas
- Mexican Orejas Recipe Top tips
- Orejas Mexican Recipe (Pan Dulce)
- Food safety
What are Orejas Pan Dulce?
"Orejas" means "ears" in Spanish, and "pan dulce" means "sweet bread." Orejas pan dulce, also known as "palmiers" in French cuisine, are a type of pastry made from laminated dough that is rolled out, layered with sugar, and then folded and rolled repeatedly to create a flaky texture. The pastry is then sliced and baked until it turns golden brown and crispy. The resulting pastry is shaped like a palm leaf or an ear, hence the name "orejas." Orejas pan dulce are popular in Mexico, and they are often served as a breakfast pastry or as a sweet treat with coffee or tea.
What is the history of Orejas?
The origins of the recipe for orejas are unclear, as laminated pastries have been popular in European cuisine for centuries. The French version of the pastry, known as palmiers, is very similar in preparation and appearance to orejas pan dulce. The recipe was brought to Mexico by French immigrants or through colonial trade routes. The recipe evolved independently in Mexico, using local ingredients and cooking techniques. Orejas has become a beloved pastry in Mexico, and it continues to be enjoyed by people around the world today.
Why you will love this recipe
- They're versatile: Orejas can be enjoyed at any time of the day, as a snack, dessert, or even as part of a breakfast spread. They can be served on their own or paired with other treats such as coffee or tea.
- They're easy to make: While Orejas may look complicated, they are actually quite easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic baking skills, you can make these delicious pastries at home.
- They're crispy and flaky: Orejas are made from layers of buttery pastry dough that create a crispy, flaky texture when baked. This texture is irresistible and makes them a favorite among pastry lovers.
- They're customizable: While traditional Orejas are made with just sugar, you can add other ingredients to create unique flavor combinations. For example, you can add cinnamon, chocolate, or even savory ingredients like cheese and herbs.
Orejas Recipe Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
- Puff Pastry
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Orejas Recipe
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Roll out the puff pastry sheet lightly to a rectangle shape. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the entire surface of the pastry.
Starting at one of the shorter ends of the pastry, fold the pastry inwards towards the center of the rectangle, creating a long, narrow strip. Repeat the same folding motion on the other shorter end of the pastry, so that the two folds meet in the center of the strip. Sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar.
Fold both ends completely so the sugary portion is inside. Cut the pastry into slices that are about ½-inch thick. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the orejas are golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven while they are hot, toss in some more sugar to coat.
Hint: Watch oven closely as they bake quickly.
Are Palmiers and Orejas the same thing?
Orejas and palmiers are similar pastries, but they are not exactly the same thing. Both pastries are made from puff pastry dough that is rolled out, coated with sugar, and then shaped into a distinctive form.
Orejas, also known as "elephant ears," are typically shaped into a more elongated, ear-like shape. They are also typically longer than palmiers. Palmiers, on the other hand, are typically shaped into a more circular or semi-circular shape, with flatter and thinner layers. Palmiers can be made with just sugar or with other ingredients such as cinnamon, chocolate, or nuts.
Substitutions
Puff Pastry: This recipe is simple and easy as I bought puff pastry. You can opt to making your own homemade puff pastry.
Sugar: I used granulated sugar but feel free to use brown sugar or cane sugar instead.
Cinnamon: I love using a hint of cinnamon for this recipe. You could use cocoa powder or nutmeg for another kick.
Mexican Orejas Recipe Variations
Here are some variations on the classic recipe that you can try:
- Cinnamon Sugar Orejas: The classic orejas recipe already includes cinnamon sugar, but you can up the cinnamon flavor by adding more cinnamon to the sugar mixture. You can also sprinkle extra cinnamon on top of the pastry before baking.
- Chocolate Orejas: For a chocolate twist, mix cocoa powder into the sugar mixture before coating the pastry dough. You can also add chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top of the finished pastry.
- Jam-Filled Orejas: Add a dollop of your favorite jam or jelly to the center of the pastry before folding it over and slicing it into rounds. This will give the pastry a fruity and sweet flavor.
- Nutella Orejas: Spread a layer of Nutella or other chocolate hazelnut spread on top of the pastry dough before folding it over and slicing it into rounds. This will give the pastry a rich and indulgent flavor.
- Savory Orejas: You can also make a savory version of orejas by sprinkling grated cheese, herbs, or spices on top of the pastry dough before folding it over and slicing it into rounds. This will give the pastry a cheesy and flavorful taste.
If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Mexican Conchas Recipe or my Bigotes Pan Dulce Recipe.
Equipment
To make orejas recipe with puff pastry, you will need the following equipment:
- Rolling Pin: You will need a rolling pin to roll out the puff pastry dough.
- Baking Sheet: You will need a baking sheet to bake the pastry on.
- Parchment Paper: Parchment paper will prevent the pastry from sticking to the baking sheet and make clean-up easier.
- Knife: You will need a sharp knife to slice the pastry dough into rounds.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Measuring cups and spoons are useful for accurately measuring out the ingredients.
How to store Orejas
Orejas can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Here are some tips for storing orejas:
- Cool the orejas completely: Allow the orejas to cool completely before storing them. This will prevent moisture from building up in the container.
- Use an airtight container: Store the orejas in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing any odors from the surrounding environment.
- Separate the layers: If you are storing multiple layers of orejas, separate them with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Do not refrigerate: Orejas should not be refrigerated as this can cause the pastry to become soggy.
- Freeze for longer storage: If you want to store orejas for a longer period of time, they can be frozen. Place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Mexican Orejas Recipe Top tips
- Use high-quality puff pastry: The quality of the puff pastry will greatly affect the final product. Use a high-quality brand of puff pastry for the best results.
- Thaw the puff pastry properly: Make sure to follow the instructions on the puff pastry package for thawing. Puff pastry should be thawed in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Roll the puff pastry evenly: Roll the puff pastry dough out evenly so that the layers are uniform in thickness. This will help the orejas to bake evenly and puff up nicely.
- Chill the pastry before baking: Once the pastry dough is rolled out and shaped, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before baking. This will help the pastry to hold its shape and prevent it from spreading out too much during baking.
- Brush with egg wash: Brush the pastry dough with egg wash before baking to give it a nice golden brown color and a shiny finish.
- Sprinkle sugar evenly: Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the pastry dough to ensure that each oreja is sweet and flavorful.
- Use a sharp knife: Use a sharp knife to slice the pastry dough into rounds. A dull knife can compress the layers and prevent the pastry from puffing up.
- Bake until golden brown: Bake the orejas until they are golden brown and puffed up. This should take about 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the orejas and your oven.
Orejas Mexican Recipe (Pan Dulce)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Orejas Recipe is made with puff pastry and sugar and has a texture that is light and airy, making it easy to eat and enjoyable.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet lightly to a rectangle shape.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the entire surface of the pastry.
- Starting at one of the shorter ends of the pastry, fold the pastry inwards towards the center of the rectangle, creating a long, narrow strip.
- Repeat the same folding motion on the other shorter end of the pastry, so that the two folds meet in the center of the strip.
- Sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar.
- Fold both ends completely so the sugary portion is inside.
- Cut the pastry into slices that are about ½-inch thick.
- Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the orejas are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven while they are hot, toss in some more sugar to coat.
Notes
- Use high-quality puff pastry: The quality of the puff pastry will greatly affect the final product. Use a high-quality brand of puff pastry for the best results.
- Thaw the puff pastry properly: Make sure to follow the instructions on the puff pastry package for thawing. Puff pastry should be thawed in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Roll the puff pastry evenly: Roll the puff pastry dough out evenly so that the layers are uniform in thickness. This will help the orejas to bake evenly and puff up nicely.
- Chill the pastry before baking: Once the pastry dough is rolled out and shaped, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before baking. This will help the pastry to hold its shape and prevent it from spreading out too much during baking.
- Brush with egg wash: Brush the pastry dough with egg wash before baking to give it a nice golden brown color and a shiny finish.
- Sprinkle sugar evenly: Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the pastry dough to ensure that each oreja is sweet and flavorful.
- Use a sharp knife: Use a sharp knife to slice the pastry dough into rounds. A dull knife can compress the layers and prevent the pastry from puffing up.
- Bake until golden brown: Bake the orejas until they are golden brown and puffed up. This should take about 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the orejas and your oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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