Cinnamon Palmiers Recipe
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Wrap the comforting flavors of cinnamon and sugar in layers of buttery puff pastry, and you get cinnamon palmiers! These little French pastries might look fancy with their swirl of sugar and spice, but they’re surprisingly simple to make. All you need are puff pastry, cinnamon, and sugar and you can enjoy a delicious sweet treat with sugar, spice, and everything nice!
I first had cinnamon palmiers in college when a friend’s Mom sent her a huge box of homemade treats to share. As a fan of cinnamon, the palmiers instantly caught my eye and they were definitely my favorite out of all the goodies in that box. I asked for the recipe, and I’ve never stopped making them. And since we’re in the season of warm spices, I thought I’d share my easy recipe with you!
This simple recipe uses store-bought puff pastry for ease and convenience, but that doesn’t mean the pastries are less indulgent or delicious. In fact, they always turn out to have light and crisp edges with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center. Shaping the dough into the signature palmier shape is easier than it looks and gets easier the more you practice.
Cinnamon palmiers, sometimes called French Hearts or Elephant Ears, are a staple in my holiday spreads, alongside almond crescent cookies, peanut butter fudge, and saltine toffee. And while they make an excellent holiday treat, we also enjoy them year round.
They’re a perfect pair to your morning coffee or afternoon tea, they make a great snack, after-meal dessert, or lunch box treat. They’re always a hit at potlucks, picnics, and parties, too! In short, cinnamon palmiers are a crowd-pleasing, versatile pastry that you can’t afford to miss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy pastry recipe: Just coat the dough in cinnamon sugar, shape, and bake.
- Minimal ingredients: You only need 3 simple ingredients to make a delicious, indulgent sweet treat.
- Kid-approved: Sweet, crunchy, and fun to eat – kids will love helping you make (and eat) them!
- Crowd-pleaser: These delicate pastries are perfect for entertaining and they’re always a hit at parties. They look gorgeous in holiday spreads, too!
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare the dough and assemble up to 2 days in advance and bake them fresh when needed.
How to Make Cinnamon Palmiers
I love making cinnamon sugar palmiers not only because they’re a breeze to make, but my kitchen always smells amazing when they’re baking. My kids also have fun making these – I roll out the dough, we shape and coat it together, and they enjoy watching the pastries puff up in the oven. These treats only take 15 minutes to bake, and we all enjoy crispy, flaky layers of pastry coated in caramelized, crunchy cinnamon sugar coating. So, so good!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- White sugar: Provides the sweetness that caramelizes during baking, giving the palmiers their irresistible sugary crunch.
- Puff pastry: The buttery, flaky base of the recipe that creates those signature crispy layers. I use store-bought frozen puff pastry to simplify the process, but you can also make your own.
- Ground cinnamon: Add warmth and spice, giving the pastry a comforting flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making cinnamon palmiers is as easy as they are delicious. In 3 easy steps, you get to enjoy cinnamon perfection through crispy, flaky, buttery pastries! Follow the instructions below and you can’t go wrong.
Step 1: Prep the pastry
Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Sprinkle approximately ⅓ cup sugar on a clean work surface, then unroll the puff pastry out onto the sugar. Puff pastry is typically rectangular. I work with the long side as the width, so my rectangle is wider than tall.
Mix the remaining sugar with the cinnamon in a small bowl and then sprinkle it on the top side of the dough. Lightly roll a rolling pin across the surface a few times to press the sugar into the pastry.
Step 2: Shape the dough
Next, fold the top edge down and the bottom edge up the center of the dough. The edges should meet each other but not overlap. Pinch up any extra sugar left on the work surface. Repeat this step a second time; fold each edge to the middle. Check again for loose sugar and press it into the dough.
Now, fold the two sides together so that all the dough is folded in a single stack. If your dough is getting warm and starting to stick to the workspace, wrap it in plastic and pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm it up again.
Finally, cut the dough ½-inch thick. Transfer cookies to a baking sheet and reshape any ones that unroll a little.
Step 3: Bake the cookies
Bake for 12-15 minutes. Flip over with a spatula. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes. Cool for a minute or so on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Substitutions
It’s likely that you already have all 3 ingredients to make cinnamon palmiers in your pantry. In case you’re missing an ingredient or want to use an alternative, I recommend these substitutions:
- White sugar: If you don’t want to use granulated sugar, use light brown or brown sugar instead. You can also try coconut sugar for a more natural sweetness.
- Puff pastry: If you want a dairy-free option, look for a puff pastry brand that uses oil, not butter. You can also swap out puff pastry for crescent roll dough, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Ground cinnamon: Replace with or add a blend of warm spices like nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom. Alternatively, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice can give your pastry a seasonal touch.
Variations
These cinnamon sugar palmiers are perfect as is, but I make them so often that I’ve tried a few tweaks and additions to keep them fun and exciting. You can customize your palmiers according to your taste or what you have on hand, but in the meantime, get inspired by these awesome variations:
- Want to make the ultimate fall treat? Replace the white sugar filling with maple sugar or drizzle maple syrup over the puff pastry before rolling it up.
- Sprinkle finely chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts along with the cinnamon and sugar for added crunch.
- Drizzle chocolate, white chocolate, or caramel sauce over the pastries while they’re still warm for a richer, more indulgent treat.
- Add a bit of lemon zest to the sugar mixture for a refreshing twist that complements the cinnamon and brightens the overall taste.
- Spread a thin layer of your favorite jam or jelly on the pastry before rolling it up for a nice fruity surprise.
Expert Tips
- Use quality puff pastry: Whether you make your own or buy pre-made, opt for high-quality puff pastry. It makes a noticeable difference in taste and texture.
- Keep the dough cold: After thawing the dough, keep it refrigerated until ready to use. It should be cold when you work with it; otherwise, it can become very sticky and difficult to use if it’s left out at room temperature too long. Keep the dough in the fridge or freezer anytime you’re not actively working with it.
- Cut cleanly: Dip your knife in flour before slicing the rolled pastry into even pieces. A clean cut will help the palmiers hold their shape and puff up nicely. The flour prevents the knife from sticking to the pastry, making cutting easier. Slice a few palmiers and dip the knife again when it starts to get sticky.
- Get creative with mix-ins: Experiment with different mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or candied nuts for different flavor variations alongside the cinnamon.
- Gift your cinnamon palmiers: Cinnamon palmiers make an excellent homemade edible gift. Cool them completely, place them in a nice box, and give them to family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues.
How to Store This Recipe
Place cinnamon palmiers in an airtight container and store at room temperature, preferably in a cool, dry place, for up to a week. You can also refrigerate them if preferred, or keep them in the freezer for up to a month. Warm them up in the oven in moderate heat until they crisp up again. Defrost frozen palmiers first before reheating.
What to Serve with Cinnamon Palmiers
Cinnamon sugar palmiers are best enjoyed simply with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or any seasonal drink like slow cooker mulled wine. Pair them with a chocolate or caramel dipping sauce, fruit compote, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent snack or dessert. At brunches or parties, serve the palmiers as part of a pastry spread, or alongside a cheese board.
More Christmas Treats To Try
- 3-ingredient fudge
- Peanut butter fudge
- Cranberry brie bites
- 3-ingredient peanut butter blossoms
- Slow cooker mulled wine
If you make these cinnamon palmiers, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup white sugar divided
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed in the refrigerator overnight
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle approximately ⅓ cup sugar on a clean work surface, then unroll the puff pastry out onto the sugar. Puff pastry is typically rectangular. I work with the long side as the width, so my rectangle is wider than tall.
- Mix the remaining sugar with the cinnamon in a small bowl and then sprinkle it on the top side of the dough. Lightly roll a rolling pin across the surface a few times to press the sugar into the pastry.
- Fold the top edge down and the bottom edge up the center of the dough. The edges should meet each other but not overlap. Pinch up any extra sugar left on the work surface. Repeat this step a second time; fold each edge to the middle. Check again for loose sugar and press it into the dough.
- Now, fold the two sides together so that all the dough is folded in a single stack. If your dough is getting warm and starting to stick to the workspace, wrap it in plastic and pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm it up again.
- Cut the dough ½-inch thick. Transfer cookies to a baking sheet and reshape any ones that unroll a little.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. Flip over with a spatula. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes. Cool for a minute or so on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Whether you make your own or buy pre-made, opt for high-quality puff pastry. It makes a noticeable difference in taste and texture.
- Keep the dough refrigerated until ready to use or anytime you’re not actively working with it to prevent it from becoming sticky and difficult to use.
- Dip your knife in flour before slicing the rolled pastry into even pieces. This prevents the knife from sticking to the pastry, making cutting easier. Slice a few palmiers and dip the knife again when it starts to get sticky.
- Experiment with different mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or candied nuts for different flavor variations alongside the cinnamon.
- Cool the pastries completely, place them in a nice box, and give them to family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues as thoughtful gifts.
