Orejas Puff Pastry Cookies

During the festive season in Mexico, a traditional treat that brings warmth and comfort to homes is the delicious Orejas Puff Pastry Cookies. These flaky, sweet delights are perfect for sharing with loved ones on a cozy Christmas morning or as an accompaniment to a hot cup of cocoa on a chilly winter evening. Made with minimal ingredients and requiring little effort, these cookies will fill your home with the delightful aroma of cinnamon and sugar as they bake to golden perfection. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe and bring a taste of Mexican Christmas into your home with these Orejas Puff Pastry Cookies.

**Orejas Puff Pastry Cookies**

**Ingredients:**
– 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 cup melted butter

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. **Prepare the Sugar-Cinnamon Mixture:** In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.

3. **Roll Out the Puff Pastry:** On a lightly floured surface, gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. Using a rolling pin, lightly roll out the pastry into a rectangle, about 12×8 inches.

4. **Add the Butter:** Brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with the melted butter, ensuring an even coating.

5. **Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar:** Evenly sprinkle the sugar-cinnamon mixture over the buttered puff pastry, covering the entire surface.

6. **Fold the Pastry:** Starting from one of the longer edges, tightly roll up the pastry sheet like a jelly roll, meeting in the middle.

7. **Slice the Cookies:** Using a sharp knife, cut the rolled pastry into slices, about 1/2 inch thick each.

8. **Shape the Orejas:** Take each slice and gently flatten it with your hand, then gently stretch it lengthwise into an oval shape, resembling an ear (oreja in Spanish). Repeat this process with all the slices.

9. **Bake the Cookies:** Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are puffed and golden brown.

10. **Cool and Serve:** Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve these delicious Orejas Puff Pastry Cookies warm or at room temperature.

These Orejas Puff Pastry Cookies are an absolute delight to bake and enjoy during the Christmas season. Their flaky layers, sweet cinnamon flavor, and simplicity make them a perfect treat for holiday gatherings, cozy nights by the fire, or as a special homemade gift for friends and family. Bring a touch of Mexican Christmas magic into your home with these easy and delicious cookies that are sure to become a new holiday tradition. Enjoy the process of baking and sharing these delightful treats with your loved ones this festive season.