French palmiers are classic cookies made with crispy, flaky puff pastry dough. You'll find these melt-in-your-mouth pastries in any fancy bakery, especially in European countries.
Don't worry-you don't need to graduate from culinary school or book a flight to enjoy delicious French cookies. All you need is a few easy ingredients and about 20 minutes!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ Classic French palmiers only require a handful of simple ingredients and go from start to finish in less than a half hour.
✔️ These are perfect with a cup of coffee or afternoon tea, as a mid-day sweet treat, or as a light dessert after a hearty meal. They are perfect Christmas cookies for Santa!
✔️ This palmier recipe uses store-bought puff pastry. It's so easy to use!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- sheets puff pastry sheets
- granulated sugar
- ground cinnamon
- salt
- butter
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat baking sheet or parchment paper*.
- Mix the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Unfold the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
- Brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with melted butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered pastry.
- Starting from one edge, roll the pastry towards the center. Do the same with the opposite edge so they meet in the middle.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled pastry into ½-inch thick rounds. You should get about 12-14 slices per pastry sheet.
- Take each slice and gently press down on it with your hand to flatten and spread it slightly. This will help the layers separate during baking.
- Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between them as they will expand during baking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 8 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown on side one. Remove from the oven and flip, return to the oven to finish baking.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Equipment
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- Lined baking sheet
- Silpat cookie sheet
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FAQ's
"Palmier" is the French word for "palm trees." French palmier cookies are named this way because their shape is similar to palm leaves.
You'll also see these cookies referred to as palm tree cookies, palm leaf cookies, French hearts, and palm hearts. However, they differ from the "elephant ears" you'll get at a state fair.
It's important to use a puff pastry dough that's made entirely with butter-not shortening or other oils. This ensures the classic flaky, buttery texture.
Your best bet is to buy Dufour puff pastry sheets. Pepperidge Farm puff pastry is pretty good too, but it's often made with vegetable shortening. You'll spend a little extra on Dufour, but it's worth it to get the best texture and taste!
Your puff pastry dough was probably too warm when you put the palmier cookies in the oven. It needs to be very cold in order to get those nice laminated dough layers.
Yes, unbaked French palmiers freeze well! Flash-freeze the cookies on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer bag or airtight container. Bake frozen palmiers at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes (an extra 1-2 minutes than the recipe calls for), flipping halfway through.
Test kitchen tips
- Do not use "off-brand" puff pastry. I haven't had good results.
- Make sure the puff pastry is completely thawed. If it's not, the cookies may unroll during baking.
- If the pastry dough gets warm while you're working, refrigerate it on a lined baking sheet for 30 minutes or until firm again.
- Use a very sharp knife to slice the puff pastry sheet. This way, you make clean cuts that don't tear the edges of the dough.
- If all the palmiers don't fit on your baking sheet, refrigerate the extra palmiers while they're waiting to bake so the dough stays cold.
- If you use parchment paper, use a fresh sheet for each batch of palmiers, so leftover bits of sugar don't burn your next batch.
- Space your palmiers farther apart on the cookie tray than you would for normal cookies. They puff out a lot while they bake!
- French palmiers are best eaten the same day they are baked. They quickly lose their crispy, flaky texture.
Variations
- Make homemade puff pastry from scratch instead of buying frozen puff pastry sheets. All you need is butter, all-purpose flour, and salt.
- Try coarse sugar like raw turbinado sugar or demerara sugar-they give puff pastry palmiers a satisfying crunch!
- Replace one teaspoon of cinnamon with ground nutmeg for another layer of warm spice.
- Make chocolate palmier cookies by filling them with a mixture of sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Add chopped pistachios and a drizzle of honey to the filling to make easy last-minute baklava!
- Make savory palmiers by omitting the cinnamon sugar and filling them with pesto, tapenade, chopped nuts, peanut butter, or shredded parmesan cheese.
Storage
Don't refrigerate baked palmiers. They will get sticky and chewy in the fridge-and not in a good way.
Individually wrap baked palmier cookies in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Crisp up leftover palmiers in the air fryer or oven at 400 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes. Watch them closely so they don't burn!
Related recipes
- Apple Hand Pies with Puff Pastry are mini apple pies stuffed with classic cinnamon sugar fruit filling-a perfect sweet treat for chilly fall nights!
- Make delicious Homemade Cream Cheese Danishes in minutes with store-bought puff pastry, sweet cream cheese, and tangy berries.
- Rolo Sugar Cookies put a decadent twist on classic favorite. No one can resist the gooey chocolate caramel filling!
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If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Petite Palmiers Cookie Recipe
Equipment
- cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry dough thawed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat baking sheet or parchment paper*.
- Mix the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Unfold the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
- Brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with melted butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered pastry.
- Starting from one edge, roll the pastry towards the center. Do the same with the opposite edge so they meet in the middle.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled pastry into ½-inch thick rounds. You should get about 12-14 slices per pastry sheet.
- Take each slice and gently press down on it with your hand to flatten and spread it slightly. This will help the layers separate during baking.
- Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between them as they will expand during baking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 8 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown on side one. Remove from the oven and flip, return to the oven to finish baking.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- I found that baking on a Silpat baking sheet resulted in a crispier cookie. The parchment paper works but pulls some of the liquid out of the sugar mixture, and they can get soggy.
- Do not use "off-brand" puff pastry. I haven't had good results.
- Make sure the puff pastry is completely thawed. If it's not, the cookies may unroll during baking.
Jean Morgan says
I have puff pastry in my freezer. Will have to give these a try.
Bowl Me Over says
I think you'll love them Jean!! They are the perfect crispy cookie!
Janice says
I love Palmiers but this recipe looks good. Sooo…..I’ll be trying your recipe soon!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful Janice, enjoy the cookies and happy Holidays to you!!
Kellli says
I've never tried these before, but the recipe looks easy enough so my boys and I will make them this weekend!!!
Bowl Me Over says
I think you and the boys will love them Kelli - enjoy the cookies and Happy Holidays!
Michelle Gosser says
I've never tried these type of pastries, but they sure look easy and delicious! I will definitely be trying these out this holiday season!
Cat says
Just what we like. Buy them but never made them. Now we can thanks to you.
Cat stevens says
You have shared your joy of Christmas Deb, thank you for all the recipes, they are easy and will taste great. Starting today, I have no Puff Pastry to make the Palmiers but i am in the mood to use your recipe but will use Crescents rolling them very thin. Will graduate to others.
William says
I feel that any recipe with cinnamon has got to be very good.
Craig Miller says
I'll definitely give these a try. Thanks for the tip about the difference is quality of puff pastry. Butter based is the best. I didn't know ... but do now.
Mary Herzog says
I can't wait to try this. They remind me of my younger self using my mom's leftover pie dough to make sugar cinnamon pin-wheels.
Bowl Me Over says
Ooh, now that sounds super yummy Mary. What a wonderful treat!
Alice Lancaster says
Tomorrow will will be .making Cowboy Spaghetti. Always look for good dishes that have easy to warm leftovers. Thanks for the spin on Spaghetti.
Colleen B. says
Never worked with puff pastry so I guess now is my chance to make these.
They look kinda like a pretzel cinnamon roll. 🙂 All they need is a powdered sugar glaze frosting on themfor hubby and his sweet tooth.
Thank U 4 this giveaway opportunity.
Bowl Me Over says
Kinda sorta, right? They are perfectly crispy and so simple! Adding frosting to the top? So decadent!!
kesha says
I have always wanted to try these. They seem pretty easy and look so yummy! I can't wait to try them!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful! I hope you give them a try Kesha, I think you'll really like them!
Lynda O'Neal says
I ate them every time when I went to France. Nice to have a recipe that is easy to make.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, thanks Lynda - I hope you enjoy them! They are perfect with a cup of coffee!
Sherri Rochester says
I am so excited to try these! I have always meant to try these, now there is no reason not to. They are absolutely decadent looking, so fancy for just a few ingredients.
Bowl Me Over says
Right? Fancy but easy! Enjoy and happy holidays!!
Maureen says
I have always wanted to make these and they look so easy. Must get some puff pastry and try a batch.
Thank you for any easy Christmas cookie.
Bowl Me Over says
You're very welcome Maureen! Enjoy the cookie recipe and don't forget to bake some for Santa! Ho, ho, ho!!
libby rouse says
Oh these cookies look so delicious and to think I had never heard of them! Will be making for Christmas!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, enjoy Libby! These crispy cookies are so crunchy and sweet!
BRENDA DICKSON says
I have been looking for something new to bake for the cookie tray this year. I am going to give these a try. They look yummy!
Bowl Me Over says
That's fantastic, Brenda! I hope these turn into a new favorite treat for Santa!
Carol says
These sound delicious, I usually buy puff pastry and have extra and do not know what to use the leftover sheets for, now I do. I will be making these this holiday time.
Bowl Me Over says
Fantastic Carol, Happy Holidays!
Sally says
These look absolutely perfect with a cup of coffee!!! Will definitely be making them x
Bowl Me Over says
These are great for dunking in a cup of coffee - enjoy!
Debra Kay Hoge says
This recipe sounds Yummy, can't wait to try it, but, will need to wait , ordered cinnamon rolls form Grandson school, but, no worry I'm sure he will wait me to bake them soon.
Thanks so much,
Debbie
Bowl Me Over says
You're so welcome Debbie! Enjoy this easy cookie recipe!
Nancy Mah says
looks eay to make. I'm going to give it a try soom
Bowl Me Over says
Happy baking, enjoy Nancy!
Maria says
My parents and I would go to Pupo's bakery in Philadelphia for Cuban bread, merenges, & palmieras. This is the same recipe he used...though he'd make the pastry by hand.
Bowl Me Over says
Oh boy, there's a labor of love Maria - hand-made puff pastry? Drooling!!
JASMINE HALL says
I never had cookies like that before it was yummy and delicious I made mines like the kind you get out of the tin cans during Christmas they tasted the same great recipe keep the Christmas recipe coming holidays are different for my family since my mom passed last year but she love baking so me and my sister is keeping that memory of her alive many of your recipes reminds me of her they're great recipes love them thank you for sharing them
Bowl Me Over says
That's just wonderful, Jasmine, I'm so happy the blog inspires you to think of those memories. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Stephanie says
These look amazing! Growing up my grandmother would make something similar and I loved them. I can't wait to make these.
Bowl Me Over says
Fantastic Stephanie! I'm so glad you're going to give them a try. Enjoy the recipes and have a wonderful holiday season!