French Palmier Cookies – a delicate French treat made with just three ingredients. These puff pastry cookies are elegant, crisp, and simple to prepare.
French Palmier Cookies
Welcome to the first cookie post of the season. Instead of repeating the usual cookie lineup, here begins a series of international cookie recipes for the holidays. These palmiers are a perfect place to start: classic French cookies with a simple ingredient list and an elegant shape. They’re ideal for cookie exchanges or as a special homemade gift during the holidays.
Palmiers—sometimes called “elephant ears” because of their shape—are made from puff pastry, butter, and sugar. The exterior bakes up flaky and crisp, while the inner layers stay tender and buttery from the rolled sugar and butter. They take only minutes to assemble and a short time in the oven, making them an excellent last-minute dessert or snack.
More cookie ideas
- Hungarian Kifli Cookies
- Lemon Shortbread Cookies
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
- German Pfeffernusse Cookies
Notes on this palmier recipe
- For a warm spice note, stir 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the sugar before sprinkling it over the pastry.
- Flip the cookies halfway through baking so both sides get evenly crisp.
- If your puff pastry comes as a single, thicker sheet, cut it in half and roll each sheet lightly to thin it before assembling.
French Palmier Cookies
A delicate French dessert made from just three ingredients. These puff pastry cookies are elegant and easy to make.
10 minutes
12 minutes
22 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll each puff pastry sheet to roughly match the size of the baking sheet. Melt the butter and brush half over one sheet, then sprinkle half the sugar evenly on top.
- Place the second sheet on top, brush with the remaining butter, and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.
- From each short end, roll the layered pastry toward the center until both rolls meet in the middle. Chill briefly if the dough becomes too soft.
- Slice the log into 1/3-inch (about 8 mm) pieces and arrange them flat on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie for expansion.
- Bake for about 8 minutes, then flip each cookie and bake an additional 4 minutes, or until both sides are golden and crisp. Cool on a wire rack.
Cookie exchange favorites
If you enjoy palmiers, consider these crowd-pleasing cookie ideas from other bloggers and bakers. They’re all great for cookie exchanges or gift boxes and offer a range of flavors and textures to complement palmiers.
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
Gingerdoodles
Lemon Sugar Cookies