These Pamir Cookies (aka Elephant Ears) are light, crispy, and super easy! If you buy pre-made puff pastry, you only need 3 ingredients to make these classic French pastries. Enjoy as a dessert or with coffee or tea.
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Useful reader comments
“Elephant ears are so easy and fun to make…they’re nice and fluffy on top and smooth and crispy on the bottom. My husband loves them and thinks I’m talented. (laughs) They’re really good!” – Joanne
elephant ears video
These are probably the easiest cookies I have ever made. Watch the video to see how easy this is. You barely need a recipe!
Easy Palmir Recipe
Classic French Pamir (Palmiyi) are a fun and unexpected treat, and they’re simple to make, using puff pastry and white sugar, which caramelizes and gives the pastry a sweet flavor. You may see them called “elephant ears”, “pig ears”, “French hearts” or “palm leaves” because of their beautiful shape and as you can see in my photos – they have a cute look.
This year Vadim and I took a trip to France and I rediscovered my love for French pastries like homemade croissants, cherry clafoutis, and angel wing cookies. These palmettos are by far the easiest recipe, so if you’re interested in French baking, definitely start here.
Pamir ingredients
This semi-homemade Palmiers cookie recipe uses frozen puff pastry for a quick and delicious dessert you can make over and over again. Keep a box of pastries on hand and enjoy this easy recipe in just 30 minutes.
- granulated sugar – Melts in the oven to form a caramelized crust over the puff pastry
- Store-bought puff pastry – You will need a 16 oz package which contains 2 sheets. Thaw according to package instructions. You want them refrigerated, not frozen.
- pinch of salt – Helps balance the sweetness of sugar
Best puff pastry for making palm trees?
I used to use Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry to make palmetto for beautiful, consistent results, but I discovered that Trader Joe’s Puff Pastry uses real butter and has a shorter ingredient list, so I switched brands. The Pepperidge Farm brand pastries tend to hold their heart shape better and seem to bake a little faster, but I think the better ingredients are worth the trade-off.
change
This basic Palmiers recipe makes for a simple, beautiful, delicious cookie, but you can add some flair with these variations:
- Cinnamon – Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the sugar/salt mixture
- spices – Choose pumpkin pie spice or orange zest for a subtle citrus flavor in the fall
- Nuts/dried fruits – Sprinkle toasted nuts or dried fruit over the unfolded dough before folding. Look at my walnut rug.
- Jamie – Spread a thin layer of plum jam on the dough before folding
- chocolate – Dust with cocoa powder or dip baked cookies in chocolate ganache
- salty – Add minced garlic, savory spices (Italian seasoning, rosemary, etc.), Parmesan cheese, or even a layer of pesto before baking.
How to make elephant ears:
This parmere recipe couldn’t be easier! This is my go-to recipe when guests drop by unexpectedly or we just want something sweet.
- mix – Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix the sugar and salt together and sprinkle 1/2 cup onto a clean work surface.
- roll – Unwrap a piece of thawed dough over the sugar, sprinkle the dough with 1/4 cup of the sugar, then roll it out and use a rolling pin to push the sugar into the dough.
- fold Opposite sides meet in the center, then repeat folding so the opposite sides meet in the center. Finally, fold the sides together like a book to create a long log.
- cut Cut dough into less than 1/2-inch slices and place cut side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat steps 2-4 with second sheet of pastry dough.
- bake Bake at 450°F for 6-8 minutes until browned, then turn over palms (reshape as needed if opened too much) and bake for an additional 4 minutes or until golden brown on both sides, then transfer to a rack to cool.
Pro tip:
It’s hard to tell when the Palmiers are ready to flip before checking the bottom of the cookie, so flip one over after 6 minutes to check for browning.
How to Freeze Palm Trees
To prepare fresh Palmiers cookies for baking, simply follow the instructions in step 4 and freeze on a baking sheet until hard. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Freeze for cooking anytime!
My easy parmere recipe will quickly become your go-to semi-homemade puff pastry dessert recipe. Butter cookies are light and airy with an irresistible caramel crunch. Try them with your morning coffee or as a quick dessert to share with friends.
Pamir biscuits (elephant ears)
Classic Pamir biscuits are a traditional French pastry made with buttery puff pastry and granulated sugar – that’s it! The sugar caramelizes in the puff pastry, giving the fluffy cookies a sweet crunch, and it only takes 30 minutes!
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mix – Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in center. Mix together the sugar and salt. Pour 1/2 cup of the sugar mixture onto a clean, flat surface, such as a large wooden cutting board.
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roll – Unroll a sheet of puff pastry onto a surface sprinkled with sugar and sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar on top. Using a rolling pin, roll the pastry sheet into about a 13-inch square and press the sugar into the dough.
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fold 2 Opposite sides come into center. Fold again and close like a book (there should be 8 layers in total).
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cut Cut the pastry into just under 1/2-inch pieces and arrange on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with second puff pastry sheet.
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bake Cook for 6-8 minutes* until the bottoms of the cookies are golden brown and caramelized (this may be hard to see, so check after 6 minutes). Turn the cookies over, reshaping as needed, and return to the oven and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, until the other side is golden brown. Remove from pan and cool.
*I’ve had great results using store-bought Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry and Trader Joe’s Puff Pastry. Both products can be found in the freezer section of your grocery store. The Pepperidge Farm brand seems to bake slightly faster, so keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking.
storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days. If you must stack them, place a piece of parchment paper between the layers. Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer as moisture may cause the cookies to soften.
get along with – Roll and slice the cookies, place on a baking sheet, freeze for a few hours until set, then place in freezer-safe ziploc bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or freeze before baking.
62kilocalories Calories12gram carbohydrate1gram protein1gram fat
Nutritional information
Pamir biscuits (elephant ears)
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
*Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
More puff pastry recipes
Store-bought puff pastry makes for elegant, buttery desserts and appetizers, like these classic palmettos. If you’re like me and keep a box in the freezer, check out these quick puff pastry recipes: