How to Make Perfect French Palmier Cookies at Home

French palmier cookies , often called elephant ears or heart cookies, are a classic pastry known for their delicate, flaky layers and crisp caramelized sugar coating. Despite their elegant look, palmiers are surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. With the right technique, you can enjoy bakery-style palmier cookies straight from your oven.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
To make palmier cookies, you only need puff pastry, granulated sugar, and a little flour for dusting. Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly and saves time, as long as it is kept cold and handled gently.

Prepare the Pastry
Thaw the puff pastry according to the package instructions. Sprinkle a generous layer of sugar on a clean work surface and place the pastry sheet on top. Sprinkle more sugar over the pastry and gently roll it out so the sugar sticks evenly to both sides.


Fold for the Classic Shape
Fold the long edges of the pastry inward toward the center. Sprinkle a little more sugar, then fold again so both sides meet in the middle. Finally, fold the pastry in half from the center to create the signature heart shape when sliced.

Chill Before Cutting
Place the folded pastry in the refrigerator for about 15–20 minutes. Chilling helps firm up the dough, making it easier to slice and ensuring the cookies hold their shape while baking.