Knee Patches Or Elephant Ears Amish Confection Recipes

AMISH WEDDING NOTHINGS OR KNEE PATCHES

Steps:

• 1. Stir together cream, egg, salt and just enough flour to make an elastic dough. The first time I only needed 1-1/2 cups.
• 2. Divide dough into 8 balls for bigger pieces or more balls if you want smaller pieces. Roll out into very thin, flat circles. Cut slits across so it doesn't puff too much when fried.
• 3. After heating oil to 365 drop pieces 1 at a time and fry until golden then put out on paper towels to drain slightly.
• 4. While still very warm dust each side with powdered sugar. If not sweet enough you could use granulated sugar instead. This way is good with cinnamon in the sugar.

"CANADIAN" ELEPHANT EAR FRIED PASTRIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the yeast, warm water and the pinch of sugar.
• Let stand until it is a slightly foamy (approximately 5 minutes).
• Then add the other 1/3 cup of sugar, milk, vanilla, eggs, oil and salt.
• Stir it all until it is smooth.
• Mix in about half of the flour and continue stirring it.
• Gradually add more flour.
• Turn the dough onto a floured surface when it is firm enough to handle.
• Knead for approximately 6-8 minutes.
• Add more flour if you need it to form a firm elastic dough.
• Place dough in a greased bowl and cover.
• Let dough sit covered until it rises and doubles (approximately 35-45 minutes). Lightly deflate the dough and pinch off a piece the size of a golf ball.
• On a floured surface use a rolling pin to roll out the small ball of dough into an oval shape.
• Put it aside and cover it with a clean tea towel while you continue to do the same with the remaining dough.
• Heat approximately 4 inches of oil in either a deep-fryer (375 degrees) or a wok or a Dutch oven.
• Before placing the flattened dough into the oil, stretch them into ovals and thin them and enlarge them (to resemble the tail). Place the tails in the oil one (or two) at a time.
• Fry in the oil, turn them once until the tails are a deep brown.
• This process usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
• Carefully remove the tail from the oil and let it drain on a paper towel.
• Place left over sugar in a flat dish like a pie pan and add the cinnamon.
• Toss the tail into the bowl while it is still hot.
• Shake off any extra sugar and cinnamon mixture.
• Serve warm.

KNEE PATCHES, OR ELEPHANT EARS AMISH CONFECTION

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and pale yellow.
• Add in the vanilla, salt, and the cream.
• Blend.
• Add the flour and beat well and thoroughly.
• This dough will be very stiff.
• On a floured surface kneed for ten minutes.
• (if your mixer has a dough hook it can be done that way also.) Preheat oil to 375 degrees.
• Pinch off the size of a large marble, and roll out thinly as possible.
• Should be about 4 inches or so.
• Cover your knees with a tea towel, and stretch the dough over the knee in the sitting position and stretch dough very thin.
• Cook two at a time in the hot fat, until golden brown.
• Turning once, takes about two minutes on each side.
• The dough will blister and puff up like a pita bread.
• Lift out each and shake extra oil off well.
• Drain on paper towels.
• When all the stretching, and deep frying is done, and cookies are cooled, then combine the icing powder and cinnamon, sift over the cookie lightly, on the top of each.
• These are eaten the same day.
• They do not keep well.