Elephant Ears

This morning I made the mistake of asking the birthday boy what he would like for his birthday breakfast.  He took full advantage, and picked something we almost never make.  I should have known better, these Elephant Ears are his all time favorite, but I just wasn't thinking.  They are pretty easy, but with just 2 of here, and me trying to stop eating so much after this weekend, we didn't really need them!  Oh well, it is his birthday! 

I had never heard of these before I was in my 20's.  But apparently it is a well known breakfast to make with kids.  My husband made these frequently as a kid.  His mom gave me the recipe, which she got from a magazine years ago.   They are similar to a cinnamon roll, but without the frosting.  The dough is a little different, but they are really good and easy. 

Elephant Ears
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup flour
2 Tbls sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
3 Tbls sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.   Mix the flour, 2 Tbls sugar, salt, and baking powder together.  Stir in the milk, and 3 Tbls of the butter.  Once the dough forms a ball, knead dough about 10 times.  Mix the 3Tbls of sugar and the cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Using a rolling pin, roll the dough on a floured surface into about a 9x5 rectangle.  Spread the remaining 1 Tbls of butter on the dough.  Sprinkle with almost all of the sugar mixture.  Leave a tiny bit, to sprinkle on top before you bake.  

Roll into a log, and then cut into 5 pieces.  Put them on a greased or lined cookie sheet, and press down gently with the palm of your hand.  Sprinkle lightly with the rest of the sugar mixture.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.  They are best served warm. Warm, gooey cinnamon....yyyyuuuummm!
If you have some leftover frosting, you could drizzle some of that over the top.  Never tried it, but I am sure it would be good!