Craving a bakery-style treat without the hassle? These easy French palmier cookies are made with flaky puff pastry cookies, a sprinkle of sugar, and a quick roll into the iconic heart shape. Whether you call them elephant ear cookies, palmiers, or puff pastry treats, they are one of the simplest and most impressive desserts you can pull from your oven.
At CookGo, we believe great baking should be stress-free. That is why this palmier cookies recipe relies on store-bought puff pastry and just one extra ingredient—sugar. Try it once, and it will become your go-to recipe for last-minute guests, holiday cookie boxes, and sweet snacks.
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What Are Palmiers?
Palmiers are classic French pastries made by folding caramelized sugar puff pastry into a heart or palm-leaf shape. As they bake, the sugar melts and caramelizes, creating crisp, buttery layers with a glossy, crackly crust. Their name comes from the French word for "palm tree," which the rolled shape resembles. In the United States, they are often sold as elephant ear cookies because of their large, curved silhouette. To learn more about their history, visit the Wikipedia page on palmiers.
Why This Palmier Cookies Recipe Works
2 ingredient palmier cookies at their finest: puff pastry plus sugar.
Store bought puff pastry means no laminating, no chilling, and no mess.
The recipe is puff pastry palmiers for beginners—no mixer or special tools needed.
Baked sugar turns into a beautiful caramelized sugar puff pastry crust.
Easily shape them into heart shaped cookies for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.
Ingredients for French Palmier Cookies with Caramelized Sugar
1 sheet (about 8 oz / 225 g) frozen puff pastry, thawed
⅓ cup granulated sugar or demerara sugar (see note below)
Optional: ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or vanilla sugar
These palmier cookies without eggs are naturally egg-free, dairy-free if you use plant-based puff pastry, and easily scaled up for a crowd.
Best sugar for palmier cookies: Granulated sugar dissolves quickly and creates a smooth caramelized surface. Demerara sugar, with its larger crystals, adds extra crunch and a deeper molasses flavor. Either works beautifully in this palmier cookies recipe with demerara sugar or plain granulated sugar. For nutritional background on sugar labeling, see the FDA Nutrition & Food Labeling guidance.
How to Make Palmier Cookies with Puff Pastry
Follow these simple steps for crispy caramelized palmier cookies every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly sugared work surface. If there are creases, gently roll it once or twice with a rolling pin to even it out.
Step 2: Sugar the Dough
Sprinkle about half the sugar evenly over the pastry. Use the rolling pin to press the sugar into the dough so it sticks. Flip the pastry and repeat on the other side.
Step 3: Roll the Palmiers
This is the classic technique for how to roll palmiers from puff pastry. Starting from each long side, roll the pastry tightly toward the center. Stop when the two rolls meet in the middle, forming a double scroll. Gently press the two rolls together.
Step 4: Slice and Bake
Using a sharp knife, slice the log into ½-inch pieces. Place each slice cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them. The slices will spread as they bake. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping each palmier halfway through, until the sugar is deep golden and the pastry is crisp.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Transfer the baked palmiers to a wire rack and let them cool completely. The sugar will harden into a shiny, crackly glaze as it cools. Serve with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pro Tips for Perfect French Palmiers Recipe
Keep the pastry cold. If it gets too soft while rolling, pop it in the freezer for 5 minutes before slicing.
Use parchment paper. Caramelized sugar can stick; parchment makes cleanup easy.
Do not overcrowd the pan. Palmiers spread and need room to crisp.
Flip halfway. This ensures both sides caramelize evenly.
Storage: Keep cooled palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes.
For more puff-pastry inspiration, check out this popular Preppy Kitchen palmier recipe.
Storage and Freezing
Unbaked palmiers freeze beautifully. Slice the rolled log, place the slices on a parchment-lined tray, and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3 to 5 minutes to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are palmiers cookies made of?
Traditional palmiers are made from puff pastry cookies and sugar. Some recipes add spices, citrus zest, or chocolate, but the classic French version uses just two ingredients.
Can I make easy palmier cookies with store bought puff pastry?
Yes. In fact, this easy palmier cookies with store bought puff pastry method is our favorite shortcut. High-quality frozen puff pastry bakes up flaky and golden.
Why are my palmiers soft instead of crispy?
Underbaking or storing while warm traps steam. Bake until deeply golden, cool fully on a rack, and store only after they are completely crisp.
Are palmier cookies vegetarian?
Most store-bought puff pastry is made with vegetable shortening, making palmiers naturally vegetarian and often vegan. Always check the package label.
Nutrition Notes
Palmiers are a treat, not a health food. Because they are naturally palmier cookies without eggs, they are suitable for many egg-free diets. For detailed ingredient data, refer to the USDA FoodData Central.
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