Get ready to fall in love with the easiest, most elegant pastry you’ll ever make. These Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers, also known as elephant ears, are delightfully crisp, buttery, and swirled with the perfect amount of warm cinnamon sugar. Using just three simple ingredients, you can create a bakery-quality treat that looks impressive but is secretly simple to prepare.
Whether you need a quick dessert, a sophisticated addition to your coffee break, or a simple holiday treat, this recipe is your new go-to. The magic is in the flaky layers of puff pastry, which caramelize in the oven to create an irresistible crunch. Let’s bake some magic!
Perfectly crisp and ready for your coffee break.
What Are Palmiers?
Palmiers are classic French pastries made from puff pastry. Their name, French for “palm trees,” comes from their resemblance to a palm leaf. They are also affectionately called “elephant ears” or “palm hearts” due to their distinctive, swirled heart shape.
Traditionally, they are made by coating puff pastry in sugar, folding it, chilling it, slicing it, and baking until the sugar caramelizes into a crispy, golden shell. Our version adds a warming touch of cinnamon for the ultimate cozy flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers Recipe
Incredibly Easy: With just 3 simple ingredients and store-bought puff pastry, this recipe is practically foolproof.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, you can have these elegant pastries ready in about 30 minutes.
Perfectly Crispy & Flaky: We’ll share the secrets to getting that signature caramelized crunch every single time.
Versatile & Elegant: They are perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to elegant holiday spreads. Looking for more simple but impressive holiday appetizers? These are a great sweet addition.
The 3 Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers recipe is its simplicity. You only need three core ingredients to create these stunning treats.
Puff Pastry: The star of the show! A quality all-butter, store-bought puff pastry saves you hours of work and delivers fantastic, flaky layers. Make sure it’s thawed but still cold.
Sugar: We use a mix of granulated sugar for a classic crunch and brown sugar for a hint of molasses flavor and moisture.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon provides that warm, cozy flavor that makes these palmiers absolutely irresistible.
Look at those incredible, flaky layers!
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create perfect Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers. The key is to work quickly while the puff pastry is still cold.
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Oven
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This is crucial as the sugar will melt and caramelize, and parchment prevents sticking.
Step 2: Create the Cinnamon Sugar Filling
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix them thoroughly. Sprinkle about half of this mixture evenly over your clean work surface.
Step 3: Roll and Fold the Pastry
Unfold your sheet of puff pastry and lay it over the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Sprinkle the top of the pastry with the remaining sugar mixture. Gently press the sugar into the pastry with a rolling pin. Now for the signature fold: fold the two long sides in so they meet exactly in the middle. Then, fold the entire log in half, like closing a book. You should have four layers.
Step 4: Chill and Slice
For clean, sharp cuts, it’s essential to chill the dough. Wrap the folded pastry log in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Once firm, use a very sharp knife to slice the log into 1/2-inch thick cookies.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the sliced palmiers cut-side up on your prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between them as they will expand. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are deeply caramelized and golden brown. For an even bake, you can flip them halfway through.
Pro Tips for Perfectly Crispy Palmiers
Keep the Pastry Cold: The butter in the puff pastry needs to be cold to create steam in the oven, which results in those coveted flaky layers. If it gets too warm, pop it back in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes.
Don’t Skimp on the Sugar: The sugar does more than add sweetness; it’s essential for creating the caramelized, crispy exterior. Be generous!
A Sharp Knife is Key: A sharp knife will give you clean slices without squishing the delicate layers you created.
Give Them Space: These cookies spread as they bake. Giving them enough room ensures they bake evenly and don’t stick together. This makes them a wonderful addition to any list of winter dessert recipes.
Fun Flavor Variations
While classic Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers are divine, you can easily customize them. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the sugar mixture, or even some finely chopped nuts for extra texture. For a different twist, explore other delicious pecan desserts that use a similar nutty, sweet profile.
Storing and Make-Ahead Instructions
Storing Baked Palmiers
Store your cooled palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They are best enjoyed fresh as they can lose some of their crispness over time.
Can You Freeze Palmiers?
Yes! You can freeze them either before or after baking. To freeze unbaked palmiers, slice the log and arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be baked directly from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Baked palmiers can also be frozen for up to a month.
Soggy palmiers are usually caused by underbaking or the puff pastry getting too warm before baking. Ensure the pastry is very cold and bake until the sugar is deeply caramelized and golden brown for maximum crispness.
Yes! The best way is to prepare the log, slice the cookies, and freeze them unbaked. You can then bake them directly from frozen whenever you need a quick treat. Baked palmiers can also be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
For the best flavor and texture, an all-butter puff pastry is highly recommended. Brands found in the freezer aisle of most grocery stores work perfectly for this recipe.
The heart shape comes from the folding technique. By folding the two long sides to meet precisely in the center and then folding the entire log in half (like closing a book), you create the double-scroll shape that bakes into a heart.
Store completely cooled palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature. If they lose some crispness, you can refresh them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 3-5 minutes.
The Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers Recipe
FL Recipes
Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers: The Easiest 3-Ingredient Recipe
Learn how to make classic Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers with this easy 3-ingredient recipe! Using store-bought puff pastry, you can create these crisp, flaky, and caramelized French pastries in just 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle half of the mixture on a clean work surface.
Unfold the puff pastry sheet onto the sugar mixture. Sprinkle the remaining sugar on top. Gently roll the pastry to press the sugar in. Fold the long sides to meet in the middle, then fold the entire log in half like a book.
Wrap the pastry log in plastic wrap and freeze for 10-15 minutes until firm. Unwrap and use a sharp knife to slice into 1/2-inch thick cookies.
Arrange the palmiers on the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the edges are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
Let the palmiers cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Calories: 85kcalProtein: 1gFat: 5gFiber: 0.5g
Notes
Keep It Cold: Your puff pastry must stay cold for the flakiest results. Sharp Knife: Use a very sharp knife for slicing to avoid squishing the layers. Watch Closely: The sugar can go from caramelized to burnt quickly, so keep an eye on them in the last few minutes of baking.
Keyword cinnamon sugar,palmiers,puff pastry cookies
We are sure you’ll love making and eating these simple yet sophisticated Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers. They are a testament to how a few quality ingredients can create something truly special. If you make this recipe, we would be thrilled to see it! Share your beautiful creations on Pinterest and let us know how they turned out in the comments below.
You won't believe how easy it is to make these bakery-style Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers at home!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
