France Palmiers
Palmiers, named for the palm leaves they resemble, are a classic French pastry made from puff pastry and sugar, folded and baked to golden, caramelized perfection. Also known as elephant ears, their origins can be traced to French patisserie, where simple techniques and high-quality ingredients elevate even the most basic recipes. Palmiers are incredibly versatile, often enjoyed as a snack or dessert, and their light, crisp texture makes them irresistible with tea or coffee. Despite their elegant appearance, they are remarkably simple to make, requiring only two primary ingredients.
Recipe Servings: 20–24
Prep Time
15 minutes
+ 30 minutes resting
+ 30 minutes resting
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 5 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
Directions
- Sprinkle a clean work surface with half the sugar (and cinnamon, if using). Place the puff pastry sheet on top and sprinkle the remaining sugar evenly over it. Roll the pastry lightly with a rolling pin to press the sugar into both sides of the dough.
- Starting from the long edges, fold each side of the pastry inward toward the center, about halfway. Fold each side inward again so the folds meet at the center. Finally, fold one side over the other, creating a compact log.
- Wrap the pastry log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the pastry firm up, making it easier to slice.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the chilled pastry from the refrigerator and slice it into ¼-inch (6 mm) thick pieces. Place the slices flat on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of space between them to allow for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, flipping them over halfway through baking, until golden brown and caramelized on both sides. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning the sugar.
- Remove the palmiers from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a savory twist, substitute the sugar with grated Parmesan cheese or a mixture of herbs and spices.
- Store baked palmiers in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain their crispness.
- To freeze unbaked palmiers, slice them and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
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