I think palmiers make a pretty cookie for Valentine's Day. I love their heart shape!
Yesterday, we celebrated my daddy's birthday. I wanted to keep dessert simple - ice cream and palmiers. If you've never tried a palmier, you must! They are one of my all time favorite cookies. When I had a "real job", my boss would frequently bring treats from Le Panier. A palmier was always my first choice but the pain au chocolat or a chocolatine were always a close second. Oh how I miss those days.... MmmmAnyways, since I don't often get downtown to Le Panier, I had to resort to making my own palmiers. Thankfully puff pastry is readily available at the supermarket. Who has the time to make it from scratch - what a process!
To make your own, you'll need a package of puff pastry (I used Pepperidge Farms - found in the frozen food section) and lots of sugar.I start by rolling the thawed pastry out on a heavily sugared work area. You can't use too much sugar! Roll the pastry into a large rectangle using lots of sugar on the top and bottom of the dough.
The diagram below shows how to roll and cut the pastry. I cut my cookies about 1/2" thick. Before I put them on a parchment covered baking sheet, I dip both sides in sugar again.
Cook in a 400° oven for 6-7 minutes, turn cookies over and continue baking approximately 6-7 minutes more. Watch 'em because they can burn easily. You'll want the sugar to caramelize to a nice golden brown. Remove from pan and cool on a baking rack. Store in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
