Effortlessly Delicious: The Ultimate Guide to 3-Ingredient Cinnamon Palmiers (Elephant Ear Cookies)

Cinnamon palmiers are truly one of the simplest and most satisfying cookies you can bake. These delicate puff pastry cookies are a symphony of textures and flavors: wonderfully crunchy, rich and buttery, and perfectly sweet. The magic happens as the cinnamon sugar caramelizes beautifully between each golden layer, creating an irresistible treat. Best of all? These delightful cookies are incredibly easy to make yourself, requiring only three basic ingredients!

Baking cookies has always been one of my most cherished pastimes, second only, of course, to the absolute joy of tasting those warm, home-baked delights straight from the oven. And these exquisite cinnamon palmiers perfectly embody that joy. They are remarkably straightforward to prepare, calling for just three essential ingredients and a few simple folding techniques. A quick bake in the oven, and you’re ready to serve these golden beauties. (A little tip from experience: allow them to cool down for a few minutes before taking that first bite – the caramelized sugar gets incredibly hot!)

There’s a special charm in a recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, and cinnamon palmiers hit that sweet spot perfectly. They’re not just easy; they’re a delightful revelation that transforms humble puff pastry into an elegant, bakery-quality treat. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, these cookies offer a rewarding experience that will impress friends and family alike.

Unlocking the Secret to Easy, Delicious Cookies

As you can probably tell from my blog, my passion for baking cookies runs deep. I’ve curated a collection of numerous delicious cookie recipes over the years, each a proven favorite. Our family can’t get enough of the walnut cookies (my hubby finds them utterly irresistible), the double chocolate walnut cookies (which I literally have to hide from my kids!), and the famous world peace cookies (a personal favorite of mine for their rich, complex flavor). While these recipes are undeniably tasty and yield fantastic results, they often require a bit more time and a longer list of ingredients.

This is where the cinnamon palmiers truly shine. They stand apart in their simplicity and speed. You don’t need to be a pastry chef or spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. The beauty of palmiers lies in their humble origins and straightforward preparation. A sheet of puff pastry, a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, and a few clever folds are all it takes. Bake them in the oven for about 20 minutes, and just like that, you have a batch of perfectly crispy, caramelized cookies ready to enjoy. Yes, this recipe genuinely is that easy!

The magic of the three-ingredient palmier is that it relies on the inherent flakiness of store-bought puff pastry. This clever shortcut means you bypass the lengthy and often intimidating process of making puff pastry from scratch, allowing you to focus on the fun part: shaping and baking. It’s an ideal recipe for last-minute guests, a quick dessert craving, or a delightful baking project with children. The satisfaction of pulling a tray of these golden, heart-shaped delights from the oven, knowing how little effort went into them, is truly unparalleled.

The Charming Story of Elephant Ear Cookies (Palmiers)

These classic French cookies are known by several endearing names, most commonly “palmiers” (French for “palm trees”) due to their distinctive shape resembling a palm leaf or a heart. However, they are also widely recognized as “elephant ear cookies,” and a quick glance at their beautifully scrolled form immediately explains this playful moniker. Regardless of what you call them, their charm and simple elegance are undeniable.

While I’ve focused on the traditional sweet version with cinnamon sugar, the versatility of palmiers is truly remarkable. The same basic puff pastry technique can be adapted to create savory appetizers that are equally impressive. Imagine using a spread of pesto, a generous dollop of tomato sauce, or even a savory cheese mix to transform these into a fantastic starter for any gathering. The contrast between the crisp, flaky pastry and a savory filling is absolutely divine. These cookies, originating from French patisseries, have transcended their sweet beginnings to become a global favorite, cherished for their delicate texture and adaptable nature.

This particular recipe has been lovingly adapted from Elsar blog, a wonderful Dutch foodie blog, and I’m thrilled to share this simplified, yet incredibly delicious, version with you.

The Three Essential Ingredients for Perfect Palmiers

The beauty of this recipe truly lies in its minimalist approach. With just three core ingredients, you can create a pastry that tastes like it came from a high-end bakery. Let’s explore what makes each component so crucial to the success of your cinnamon palmiers:

• Puff Pastry: The Foundation of Flakiness – You’ll need approximately ⅔ of a pound (around 300 grams) of good quality puff pastry. The easiest and most convenient way to prepare these cookies is by using pre-rolled puff pastry, typically found in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets. A common size for these rolls is about 16 x 10 inches (40 x 24 cm). If you can’t find puff pastry on a roll, don’t worry! You can absolutely use individual puff pastry sheets. Simply overlap them slightly, pressing the seams firmly with your fingers to create a single, continuous sheet of the desired dimensions. The key here is the multitude of thin butter layers within the pastry, which expand when baked, giving palmiers their signature light, airy, and incredibly flaky texture.
• Sugar: The Sweet Caramelizer – Sugar does more than just sweeten these cookies; it plays a critical role in their texture and appearance. As the palmiers bake, the sugar melts and caramelizes, creating a beautifully glossy, crunchy coating that adheres to every delicate layer. This caramelization is what gives palmiers their irresistible crispness and a depth of flavor that a mere sprinkle of sugar couldn’t achieve.
• Cinnamon: The Warming Spice – Ground cinnamon is the aromatic heart of these palmiers. Its warm, sweet, and slightly woody notes beautifully complement the buttery pastry and caramelized sugar. It infuses each bite with a comforting, familiar flavor. While cinnamon is traditional and highly recommended, feel free to experiment with other warming spices like a touch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a gingerbread spice blend for a festive twist. For a brighter, fresher flavor profile, a hint of finely grated lemon or orange peel can also be a wonderful addition.

🔪 How to Prepare Your Own Delicious Cinnamon Palmiers

Creating these elegant cookies is surprisingly straightforward. Below, you’ll find a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure your palmiers turn out perfect every time. A printable recipe card with exact measurements and instructions is also available at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1 – Prepare your cinnamon sugar and pastry: Begin by mixing your granulated sugar with the ground cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined. This simple mixture is where all the wonderful flavor comes from. Next, lightly brush one side of your puff pastry sheet with a little water. This slight dampness will help the cinnamon sugar adhere. Sprinkle a generous amount of your cinnamon sugar mixture onto your clean working surface. Carefully press the wet side of your puff pastry onto the sugar, ensuring a good coating.

Gently peel off any plastic film or baking paper from the back of your puff pastry. Now, sprinkle more cinnamon sugar evenly over the top side of the pastry. Using a rolling pin, gently press the sugar into the dough. This ensures it’s well-embedded and won’t fall off during handling or baking, contributing to that beautiful caramelized crust.

Step 2 – Master the classic palmier fold: The unique shape of palmiers comes from a specific folding technique. It’s easier than it looks, and with a little practice, you’ll be creating perfect “elephant ears” in no time.

1. First, fold the puff pastry in half lengthwise and then open it back up. This action helps to create a natural crease, marking the center of the dough. You can also lightly press the center with your fingers to make a subtle guide.
2. Now, take one of the long edges of the dough and fold it inward towards the center mark, covering approximately one-third of that half.
3. Repeat this process with the other long edge, folding it inward towards the center mark, so that both folded edges meet precisely in the middle. You should now have two rolls of dough meeting in the center.
4. Finally, carefully fold one rolled half directly over the other, creating a single, compact roll. This final fold brings the two “ears” together. Wrap the folded puff pastry tightly in plastic film or baking paper. It’s crucial to chill the dough at this stage for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. If you’re pressed for time, you can place it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Chilling firms up the butter in the pastry, making it much easier to slice cleanly and helping the cookies maintain their beautiful shape during baking.

Step 3 – Slice and prepare for baking: Once your puff pastry has sufficiently chilled and is firm, it’s ready for slicing. This coolness is key to getting clean, distinct layers. Using a sharp knife, slice the dough into strips about ½ inch (1 cm) thick. Each slice will reveal the classic heart or butterfly shape. Lay the sliced palmiers onto a baking plate lined with parchment paper, ensuring ample space between each cookie. They will expand quite a bit in the oven, so leave at least 2 inches (5 cm) of distance. Typically, you can fit about 8 to 10 cookies comfortably on one standard baking sheet.

Step 4 – Bake to golden perfection: Preheat your oven to 430 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). Baking palmiers at a relatively high temperature helps create that signature crisp, flaky texture and encourages the sugar to caramelize beautifully. Place your baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. For even baking and golden-brown results on both sides, it’s a good idea to turn the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. Keep a close eye on them, as ovens can vary, and you want them to be deeply golden but not burnt. Once baked, remove them from the oven and carefully transfer them to a wire rack. Let them cool down for at least 5 minutes. This cooling period is essential not just because the caramelized sugar is extremely hot, but also because it allows the cookies to crisp up further as they reach room temperature. Resist the urge to bite in too soon!

Beyond Sweet: Exploring Savory Palmiers

While palmiers are most commonly celebrated as sweet, sugar-coated cookies, their basic puff pastry structure makes them an incredibly versatile canvas for savory creations. Did you know you can easily adapt this recipe with various toppings to create sophisticated and delicious savory appetizers? These make fantastic bites for parties, snacks, or even a light lunch. Let me inspire you with some fantastic ideas:

1. Cheesy Bacon & Onion Palmiers: Elevate your appetizer game by filling the puff pastry with a rich combination of grated Emmentaler cheese (or your favorite sharp cheese), beautifully caramelized onions, and finely chopped crispy bacon. The salty, savory flavors paired with the flaky pastry are simply divine.
2. Mediterranean Pesto & Mozzarella Palmiers: For a vibrant and flavorful option, brush your puff pastry generously with a fragrant pesto. Then, sprinkle it with shredded mozzarella cheese and a scattering of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. The herbs, cheese, and intense tomato flavor make for a delightful Mediterranean-inspired bite.
3. Garlic Herb Palmiers: Create an aromatic spread by roasting garlic until soft and sweet, then mixing it with good quality olive oil. Stir in finely chopped fresh rosemary and thyme, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Brush this herbaceous mixture onto your puff pastry for an incredibly fragrant and addictive savory treat. You could even add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.

These savory variations follow the exact same folding and baking principles as the sweet palmiers, making them just as easy to execute. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your favorite flavor combinations! The possibilities are endless, and you’ll quickly discover that palmiers are not just for dessert.

Do you also share a love for baking cookies? Then you’re in for a treat! You can find many of my other favorite cookie recipes right here on the blog. Because besides these incredible cinnamon palmiers, there’s a whole world of deliciousness waiting to be baked in cookie land!

📖 Recipe

VIDEO

RECIPE CARD

Cinnamon Palmiers {Only 3 Ingredients}

Andréa

Cinnamon palmier cookies are one of the easiest cookies to make. These puff pastry cookies are crunchy, buttery, and sweet. The cinnamon sugar caramelizes all the way between the layers. So good! And these cookies are simple to make yourself. You only need 3 ingredients!

5 of 18 votes

Print Recipe
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

cooling time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Sweets and Sweet Baking

Cuisine European Cuisine

Servings 20 cookies

Calories 103 kcal

Equipment

• A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ ⅔ pound puff pastry, roll size 10 x 16 inch, 24 x 40 cm
• ▢ ½ cup sugar
• ▢ 2 teaspoons cinnamon

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

Preparation

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  Preheat the oven to 430 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
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  Line a baking plate with baking paper.

Cinnamon Palmiers Cookies

• ▢
  Mix sugar and cinnamon.
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  Brush the top of the puff pastry with water.
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  Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on your working bench. Press the wet side of the puff pastry into the sugar.
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  Remove the plastic foil on the back of the puff pastry.
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  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Roll with a rolling pin lightly over the cinnamon sugar.
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  Fold the dough and open up again. Mark the middle by pressing the dough a bit with your fingers.
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  Divide each half into three pieces and fold ⅓ part to the inside (for a visual description look at the photos or video).
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  Fold both halves again ⅓ time. So the edges meet in the middle.
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  Take the left half and fold it on top of the right half.
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  Wrap the dough in foil and let it cool down for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
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  Cut the dough in ½ inch thick slices (1 cm) and spread them on the baking plate. Leaving 2 inches (5 cm) in between the cookies.
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  Bake the cookies for 20 minutes in the oven.
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  Let them cool down for at least 5 minutes.

Notes

1. Puff pastry – You need about ⅔ a pound of puff pastry. And the easiest way to prepare these cookies is when you buy the puff pastry on a roll. This roll is 16 x 10 inches (40 x 24 cm). If you can’t buy a roll of puff pastry then you can use puff pastry sheets and form a dough of this height and width. Press the seams with your fingers so they’ll stick.

2. Alternatives – This recipe is made with cinnamon sugar. But you can also use gingerbread spices, lemon grate, or chopped walnuts. Or just plain sugar.

3. Storage – The dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days when wrapped in plastic foil.

The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If they get soft you can make them crunchy again by baking them for 5 minutes at 285 degrees Fahrenheit (140 degrees Celsius).

Palmiers can’t be stored in the refrigerator. But you can freeze them in an airtight container. This way they can be stored for up to one month. To make them crunchy again after defrosting, bake them 5 minutes at 285 degrees Fahrenheit (140 degrees Celsius)

4. Nutrition – The nutrition described here is for one cookie.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 38mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1IU

Keyword a delicious homebaked cookie, a fast cookie recipe

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