Palmiers (Elephant Ears)

Quick and easy to make palmiers, or elephant ear cookies, with puff pastry and sugar.

By
Garrett McCord
Garrett McCord
Garrett McCord
Garrett has been writing about food and sharing recipes for 15 years. He is the author of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese.
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Updated March 01, 2022
Garrett McCord
Palmiers
Elise Bauer

Please welcome guest author Garrett McCord who shares his dead-easy palmiers cookie recipe with us. ~Elise

Sometimes I just want a quick cookie. Something simple, yet flashy, with very little work on my part. A quick rendezvous in the kitchen with near instant cookie gratification.

The answer to this cookie conundrum is the palmier, or elephant ear cookie. A simple French classic, and even though it's French don't let that scare you. Puff pastry and sugar. Bake. Done. Class dismissed.

This cookie, due to its simplicity, pairs well with many other desserts or after dinner espresso, coffee, and tea. Yet at the same time the simple addition of spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom or vanilla sugar can make this a very fragrant way to end a meal.

The palmier can also be reworked into a great savory appetizer if you want; instead of using sugar and spices, replace the sugar with grated Parmesan and roll into it a very thin layer of pesto.

Palmiers
Elise Bauer

Palmiers (Elephant Ears)

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Dough Chilling 30 mins
Total Time 60 mins
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • Lots of granulated sugar

  • Puff pastry

  • Parchment paper (aka baking paper) or a Silpat baking mat

Method

  1. Roll out the puff pastry, sprinkle with sugar:

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of sugar over your workstation. Roll out the puff pastry to about 10X12 inches. Sprinkle another 1/4 cup of sugar (and spices if using) over the dough.

  2. Roll left and right edges inward to meet in the middle:

    Roll up the left vertical side inward, stopping in the middle of the dough. Roll up the right side of the dough. The two rolls should be meeting at the middle and touching. Press the two sides together gently. Repeat with any more puff pastry you may have.

  3. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.
  4. Slice cookie forms from dough logs, sprinkle with sugar:

    Starting at one end, cut off pieces of the log, in slices about 1/2 inch in thickness. Lightly sprinkle sugar onto each side. Pinch and press the sides of the two rolls together to ensure that they don't unroll during baking.

  5. Place on lined baking sheets:

    The palmiers will increase size dramatically, so leave plenty of room between each cookie and only bake a dozen at a time.

  6. Bake:

    Set the tray in the middle of the oven. Bake at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes or until the sugar has caramelized.

  7. Cool on rack:

    Allow them to cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Links:

Pesto palmiers from The Brewer and the Baker

Chocolate and orange palmiers by Clotilde

Palmiers
Elise Bauer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
91 Calories
2g Fat
19g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 91
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 3mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.