How to Make Homemade Palmeras
Palmeras, also known as palmiers or elephant ears, are a delightful French pastry that combines the perfect amount of sweetness and sophistication!
A traveler’s treat!
If you’ve been here for very long, you may have heard me referencing my love for travel! I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to live in Spain and travel to many other countries in my time, earthside.
When I was first introduced to Palmeras in Spain, I was walking about down a quiet little street and I spotted a bakery. I’m not sure where you live, but where I come from bars, cookies, and cakes are pretty popular here in SE Minnesota. It’s what all the grandmas make to please their children and grandchildren’s sweet tooth. I started to notice, that in Spain, there were no cookies or cakes and they probably had 0 idea about what ‘bars’ were. But I did find a lot of fun pastries there. One of my favorite treats quickly became these Palmeras, I would find. Sometimes I would find them in a pastry shop and sometimes I would find them prepackaged in a small grocery store. Whenever I would find them, I would get them.
Then I found them while on a trip to Mexico. After that, I went on a mission to learn how to make them myself! As it turns out these little flaky delights, are super easy to make!
Palmera Ingredients
Palmeras originated as a classic French pastry and are also known as “palmiers” or “elephant ears” – “Palmera” translates to palm. They are crispy, slightly fally-apparty with the perfect hint of sweetness. Sometimes they would have course sugar crystals on the top. It was just enough and not too much.
*Either homemade or store-bought Puff Pastry sheets
*Granulated sugar
*Cinnamon (optional)
*Butter
*Flour for dusting
*Honey
Mastering the Puff Pastry Fold
- Preparation
- Thaw the puff pastry sheet according to the packages instructions.
- Preheat your oven the the recommended temperature.
2. Flour your Surface
- Lightly flour your work surface to prevent the sheet of puff pastry from sticking
- Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangular shape.
3. Sweet symmetry
- Sprinkle a generous layer of granulated sugar over the pastry, ensuring even coverage to the opposite edge.
- We love adding a dash of cinnamon to this layer too!
4. Fold and Roll
- Starting from both ends, fold the pastry inward, creating a symmentrical log with the layers of dough.
- Slice the log into even pieces, about 1/2 inch thick slices. I love the little heart shapes these make!
5. Bake to Perfection
- Place the palmera slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet
- Bake until golden brown and crispy.
- Drizzle warm honey over each Palmera
Tips and Tricks for Making Palmeras
- Refrigerating the rolled-up pastry for about 15-30 minutes before slicing and baking it, makes slicing it easier and makes the palmeras more flaky.
- Experiment with other flavors like brown or other flavored sugars to add more depth to your palmeras.
- You can totally adjust the size and thickness of your palmeras, by simply slicing them thinner, resulting in a crispier treat. Or cut them thicker for a more softer texture.
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Why You’ll Love Making Palmeras
- They naturally make the most delightful heart pattern and would make a perfect Valentines Day treat for the classroom or the office.
- When looking for simple recipes – this one is a go to!
- Not too much sugar…. just right for an afternoon tea or to go along with a brunch.
The Printable Recipe for Palmeras
Homemade Palmeras Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Cookie Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 Package Puff Pastry
- 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour for dusting
- 1/4 Cup Course Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 4 Ounces Honey
Instructions
- Gathering all of your ingredients, first, preheat the oven to 350° F
- Melt butter in small saucepan
- Flour your work surface and rolling pin and roll out half of the pastry thin. Brush with butter and sprinkle sugar.
- Fold the pastry sheet in half and then in half again
- Flour the rolling pin and roll out the pastry sheet again. Brushing with butter; sprinkling with sugar and fold as you did before
- Repeat this process 2-3 more times
- Roll up one edge tightly toward the center of the sheet. Roll up the other side until they meet in the middle. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Chill for about 10 minutes before slicing. Then cut into 1/2" thick pieces. Placing each palmera flat on an ungreased cookie sheet. Allow space between them so the pastry can puff up.
- Repeat this same process with the other half of the pastry sheet
- Bake until palmera is golden, check for doneness after 20 minutes
- Warm honey and drizzle over top of each palmera
- Serve and enjoy!
Questions People are asking about Making Palmeras
| Can I use homemade puff pastry? Yes you can use homemade dough! If you have the time and inclination, making your own puff pastry can elevate your palmeras to another level. |
| Why use Coarse / Granulated Sugar? Coarse / Granulated Sugar gives these extra texture and that satisfying crunch! This works well with the airy pastry roll. |
| There are so many different names for this pastry! Am I at the right recipe? Because of their lovely shape, these treats have taken on many names: – French Hearts – French Palmier Cookies – Pig’s Ears – Palm Leaf Cookies – Palm Leaves Trust me that with a google search of any of these words, as long as you see puff pastry dough, butter, and sugar you are good to go my friend! |
| How do I store leftover palmeras? We store our palmeras, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer shelf life, freeze and reheat in the oven when the craving strikes! |
| Can I add other toppings? You bet! Feel free to get creating and sprinkle chopped nuts, and chocolate chips, or even drizzle some caramel before rolling up the pastry for a unique twist. |
With these foolproof steps, you’re armed with everything you need to create perfect homemade Palmeras. Enjoy the sweet symphony of flavors and textures as you bite into these golden, flaky delights – a testament to the joy that can be found in your kitchen. Happy baking!
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This post may contain affiliate links from a paid sponsor, Amazon or other program. When you use these links to make a purchase I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows me to continue creating the content that you love. The content in this article is created for information only and based on my research and/or opinion.
Emily T.
DAILY INSPIRATION ON THE GRAM @hearty.sol
it's hip to be square!
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