Palmiers are beautiful French cookies that are crispy, buttery, and shaped like butterflies or elephant ears. They look fancy but are surprisingly easy to make at home—especially with rough puff pastry. You can keep them classic and sweet with sugar or try unique savoury versions using garlic, herbs, or even cheese. This flexible recipe gives you delicious results either way.
Ingredients
- 1 recipe homemade rough puff pastry
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry
First, prepare a batch of homemade rough puff pastry. Roll it out gently and cut it into two equal rectangles. Wrap one rectangle and keep it in the fridge—you’ll use it for a second batch later.
Step 2: Make the Sugar Mixture
Mix sugar and salt together. Divide this mix into two parts—about ¼ cup each.
Step 3: Roll Out with Sugar
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the sugar mix on a clean work surface. Place the pastry on top and roll it into a 12-inch square. Sprinkle another 2 tablespoons on top and press lightly with a rolling pin to coat both sides. Use any leftover sugar from the surface to cover the dough evenly.
Step 4: Add Extra Flavours (Optional)
At this stage, you can add extras like finely chopped dark chocolate, cinnamon, crushed nuts, or for savoury palmiers, use herbs like rosemary or garlic powder instead of sugar.
Step 5: Fold the Dough
Fold both edges toward the centre so they meet halfway. Fold again so the folds touch in the middle. Then fold in half once more to form a long log. Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes in the fridge or 15 minutes in the freezer.
Repeat the same steps with the second piece of dough.
Step 6: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Slice the chilled dough into ½ inch thick pieces. Place them 3 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper over foil.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp.
Final Tips
This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Two cookies make one serving. You can make one sweet batch and one savoury batch using the same dough. These cookies are best eaten fresh, but they can also be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
Palmiers are a simple but elegant pastry that’s perfect for tea time, celebrations, or even as edible gifts. You can easily customise the flavours to your taste—sweet with sugar and cinnamon, or savoury with garlic and herbs. With rough puff pastry, the result is crispy, buttery, and full of layers. Try this recipe once, and you’ll be making these cookies for every special occasion!
FAQs
What are palmiers made of?
Palmiers are made with puff pastry and sugar. You can also add sweet ingredients like cinnamon or chocolate, or make savoury versions using herbs, garlic, or cheese.
Can I use store-bought puff pastry instead of homemade?
Yes, store-bought puff pastry works well and is a quicker option. But homemade rough puff gives a better flaky texture and richer taste.
How do I keep the dough from sticking while rolling?
Instead of flour, sprinkle sugar on your surface. It keeps the dough from sticking and adds a sweet, crunchy coating to the palmiers.
Can I make savoury palmiers?
Definitely! Just skip the sugar and use garlic, herbs, cheese, or even chilli flakes to make savoury versions.
How long do palmiers stay fresh?
Palmiers stay fresh for up to 3–4 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat briefly in an oven to crisp them up if needed.
