If you have a sweet tooth and a soft spot for delightful, crispy treats, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this Palmiers Cookies (Elephant Ears) Recipe. These charming cookies combine the buttery, flaky layers of puff pastry with sparkling caramelized sugar to create a snack that’s both elegant and irresistibly addictive. Whether you’re looking for a classy tea-time companion or a quick homemade gift, these golden curls offer a perfect balance of crunch and sweetness that’s hard to beat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the perfect Palmiers Cookies (Elephant Ears) begins with just a handful of simple ingredients, each pivotal in creating their signature crunch and caramelized allure. Let’s break down how every element adds its own magic to the process.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: The sugar caramelizes beautifully to give these cookies their signature sweet, crunchy crust.
- 1 lb puff pastry (2 sheets, thawed): This flaky, buttery base is the heart of the Palmiers, creating those delicate layers people adore.
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavor by balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Parchment paper: Essential for easy baking and preventing sticking, ensuring your cookies slide off effortlessly.
How to Make Palmiers Cookies (Elephant Ears) Recipe
Step 1: Mixing the Sugar and Preparing the Surface
Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 450°F, placing a rack in the center for even baking. While waiting, mix the granulated sugar with the fine sea salt in a bowl. Then, pour half of this sugar mixture onto a clean, flat surface like a wooden cutting board—this sugary bed is where your puff pastry will come to life.
Step 2: Rolling the Puff Pastry
Unfold one sheet of puff pastry gently onto the sugared surface. Sprinkle a quarter cup of the remaining sugar evenly over the top. Now, grab your rolling pin and roll the puff pastry out until it reaches about a 13-inch square, pressing the sugar firmly into the dough, ensuring an even caramel crunch in every bite.
Step 3: Folding to Create Layers
Here’s the fun part! Fold two opposite sides of your rolled square inward toward the center, then fold those sides in again, closing the dough like a neat little book. Count the layers—you should have eight in total, promising incredible flakiness with every crunch.
Step 4: Slicing and Arranging the Cookies
Using a sharp knife, slice your pastry log into pieces just under half an inch thick. Arrange these rounds carefully on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Don’t crowd the cookies—give them space to expand as they bake. Repeat this rolling, folding, and slicing process with the second puff pastry sheet for a full batch.
Step 5: Baking to Golden Perfection
Bake your Palmiers for 6 to 8 minutes until you spot golden, caramelized edges on the bottoms. This is a key visual cue, although it can be a little subtle, so a close eye is essential here. Flip each cookie over, gently reshaping them if they’ve lost their iconic heart shape, then return to the oven for another 4 to 5 minutes. Once both sides are a gorgeous golden brown, remove the cookies and let them cool. The wait is worth it when you finally taste their crisp, caramelized goodness.
How to Serve Palmiers Cookies (Elephant Ears) Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are stunning on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar can add an elegant touch that enhances their delicate sweetness. For a festive twist, try dipping one edge in melted dark chocolate and letting it set—this adds a rich, luxurious contrast that’s perfect for special occasions.
Side Dishes
Palmiers go wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee, their crisp texture offering a delightful contrast to smooth drinks. For a brunch or dessert table, pair these elephant ears with fresh fruit preserves or whipped cream for an elevated bite that’s sure to impress guests.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving up Palmiers Cookies (Elephant Ears) Recipe has endless charm. Arrange them in a spiral on a decorative plate or stack in a clear glass jar for a beautiful countertop display. You could even sandwich small dollops of flavored cream between two cookies for a delightful twist, turning traditional palmiers into bite-sized treats that surprise and delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your Palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature. Proper storage keeps them crisp and fresh for up to a week, so you’ll have plenty of time to savor these crunchy delights without worry.
Freezing
These cookies also freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When sealed properly, they can keep for up to two months without losing their flaky texture.
Reheating
If your Palmiers have softened slightly after storage, revive their crunch by warming them in a 350°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave, which can make them soggy, and instead enjoy that fresh-baked crispiness again.
FAQs
Can I make Palmiers Cookies from scratch without store-bought puff pastry?
Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry is a labor of love that adds depth of flavor, but store-bought puff pastry is a fantastic shortcut for this recipe, delivering buttery flakiness with far less effort.
What kind of sugar is best for Palmiers?
Granulated sugar works best because it melts and caramelizes smoothly, giving the cookies their signature crunch. Some like to use a mix or coarse sugar for extra texture, but granulated sugar gives the cleanest caramel layer.
How do I prevent the Palmiers from sticking to the baking sheet?
Using parchment paper is key. It creates a non-stick surface and makes it easy to transfer the delicate cookies after baking without breaking them.
Can I add flavors like cinnamon or vanilla to this recipe?
Definitely! Sprinkling cinnamon into the sugar mix or brushing a little vanilla extract onto the dough before folding adds warm, cozy notes that complement the buttery layers beautifully.
Why do some Palmiers spread out too much while baking?
This can happen if the dough is too warm before baking or sliced too thinly. Keeping the puff pastry chilled until just before baking and slicing evenly helps maintain their distinct shape.
Final Thoughts
Once you try the Palmiers Cookies (Elephant Ears) Recipe, these crisp, caramelized treats will quickly become one of your favorite indulgences. Their simplicity belies the incredible flavor and satisfying texture that’s perfect anytime you want to treat yourself or impress your loved ones. So grab some puff pastry, sugar, and just a little patience, and prepare to fall in love with every golden, flaky bite!
Print
Palmiers Cookies (Elephant Ears) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 40 to 45 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
Palmiers Cookies, also known as Elephant Ears, are classic French pastries made from puff pastry coated in sugar, folded into a distinctive shape, and baked until golden and caramelized. These crispy, sweet treats are perfect for dessert or as a tea-time snack, boasting a delicate crunch and buttery flavor with a caramelized sugar finish.
Ingredients
Palmiers Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 lb puff pastry (2 sheets of storebought puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions)
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- Parchment paper to line the cookie sheet
Instructions
- Mix Sugar and Salt: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) with a rack in the center position. Combine the granulated sugar and fine sea salt in a bowl. Pour 1/2 cup of this sugar and salt mixture onto a clean, flat surface such as a large wooden cutting board to coat the pastry later.
- Roll Out Puff Pastry: Unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry onto the sugared surface. Evenly spread 1/4 cup of the sugar mixture over the top of the pastry sheet. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the pastry to about a 13-inch square, pressing the sugar into the dough to infuse flavor and create a caramelized crust when baked.
- Fold the Pastry: Fold two opposite sides of the rolled puff pastry into the center so they meet. Fold again, closing it like a book; this will create eight layers of sugar-coated pastry inside, giving the cookies their signature layered look and crispiness.
- Slice and Arrange: Using a sharp knife, cut the folded pastry log into slices just under 1/2 inch thick. Place each slice cut-side-up on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them for even baking. Repeat this process with the second sheet of puff pastry.
- Bake the Palmiers: Bake the cookies for 6 to 8 minutes, checking at 6 minutes, until the bottoms become golden brown and caramelized, which can sometimes be difficult to see. Carefully flip each cookie over, reshape any misshapen ones, and return them to the oven for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until the other side is golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack before serving.
Notes
- Ensure puff pastry sheets are properly thawed according to package instructions for best results.
- Check the first side frequently towards the end of baking to avoid burning the sugar.
- Flipping the cookies mid-bake ensures even caramelization on both sides.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Store baked palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain crispness.
