Monday, February 8, 2010

Valentine Heart Palmiers

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.... Mmmm
Anyways, 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!

6 comments:

Laurie said...

Oh my gosh I love these! We used to call them elephant ears. I had no idea they were so easy to make! This might not be good for my waistline.

Crystal said...

I just love these, but I had no idea they were that easy to make. Well, at least you make them look and sound easy. I will definitely have to try these.
Have a blessed day.

Secondhandrose said...

Thanks for the recipe. They look like fun. Glad to see you back.

karen

vintage girl at heart said...

Oh my daughter loves these..I will have to tell her your secret to making them!!
Your vacation looked wonderful!!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

MMMM...these would be wonderful right now with my boring coffee.
Thank you for sharing the recipe with us. I will have to give these a try. They look much more difficult than they are.

Becky

sue w said...

love "em! haven't tried to make them myself, but will. I also like the savory version that has sundried tomatoes, pesto and parm. cheese.