Palmiers are one of those appetizers that look impressive but are surprisingly simple. These crisp, buttery pastries are made by rolling puff pastry with sugar or a savory filling, then slicing and baking until the layers caramelize and turn golden. The result is a delicate, crunchy bite with that classic heart-shaped swirl.
What makes palmiers so appealing is how versatile they are. You can keep them sweet with cinnamon sugar or turn them savory with cheese, herbs, pesto, or tapenade. They bake quickly, look beautiful on a platter, and work just as well for casual gatherings as they do for holiday parties.
Helpful Tips
- Use cold puff pastry – Puff pastry is much easier to work with when it’s cold. If it starts getting soft while rolling or folding, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Roll evenly for clean layers – Try to keep the dough an even thickness as you roll it out. This helps the palmiers bake evenly and gives you those neat, defined layers.
- Watch the sugar carefully – If you’re making sweet palmiers, the sugar will caramelize quickly. Keep an eye on them toward the end of baking so they turn golden, not burnt.
You Might Also Like
Palmiers
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry dough thawed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar divided
Instructions
- Cut a piece of puff pastry to 9×9" square.
- Sprinkle ⅓ of the sugar onto a large work surface. Place the dough on top of the sugar and roll it out to 10” square and smooth out the creases. You can use the sugar mixture on the rolling pin to keep it from sticking to the dough.
- Sprinkle another ⅓ of the sugar on top of the dough. Run the rolling pin over the dough to press the sugar down into the dough as much as possible.
- Cut a tiny slit in the center of the square. This is a marker so you know where the center is. Tightly roll the left edge into the center. Tightly roll the right edge into the center. Wrap the “log” in plastic wrap or parchment paper and put it in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the log from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Slice the log into 3/8 inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on the baking sheets and sprinkle on the last ⅓ of the sugar on top of each slice.
- Bake for 8 minutes. They will puff and expand. Remove from the oven and flip them over. Reform them if necessary. Continue baking for 5 more minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.