Description

Palmiers, also known as “Elephant Ears,” are delicate French pastries that combine buttery puff pastry with caramelized sugar for the perfect crisp texture and golden finish. Despite their fancy appearance, these cookies are incredibly easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients—puff pastry, sugar, and salt—you can create a stunning dessert or snack that looks straight out of a bakery. Perfect for holiday trays, tea parties, or an elegant treat with coffee, these Palmiers will impress without stress.

Ingredients

2 cups cane sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 puff pastry sheets, defrosted (found in the frozen dessert aisle near frozen pies)

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Prepare the sugar mixture: In a small bowl, combine cane sugar and kosher salt. Pour 1/4 of the mixture onto a clean, flat surface.
Roll out the puff pastry: Unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry directly onto the sugared surface. Sprinkle another 1/4 of the sugar mixture evenly over the top. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the dough until it measures about 13 by 13 inches. Press firmly so the sugar adheres to both sides.
Create the classic palmier folds: Fold the left and right sides of the dough toward the center so they meet halfway. Fold both sides again so the edges meet exactly in the middle. Then fold the two halves together to form one long, compact log.
Slice and arrange: Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 3/8-inch pieces. Place each slice on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them for spreading. Sprinkle a bit of the leftover sugar mixture on top of each cookie.
Bake and flip: Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until the bottoms are caramelized and golden brown. Flip each cookie using a spatula and bake for another 5–7 minutes until the other side is equally caramelized.
Cool and serve: Transfer the baked Palmiers to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve once crisp and golden.

Notes

- Serving: Palmiers are best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the sugar is crisp and caramelized. Serve them alongside coffee, tea, or espresso for a European café experience. They also make elegant additions to dessert platters or holiday cookie trays.
- Storage: Once cooled completely, store Palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their crunch.
- Freezing: Freeze baked Palmiers in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To enjoy, reheat in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes.
- Make Ahead: Prepare and shape the dough logs ahead of time, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before slicing and baking.