Skip to content

Dessert - Sugary Puff Pastry Elephant Ears

Crispy edges, caramelized sugar, and buttery flaky layers—these Elephant Ears (a.k.a. Palmiers) are pure magic made from just one sheet of puff pastry. Perfectly caramelized and irresistibly crisp!

Elephant Ears

🧁 Yield

  • Makes ~20 cookies

⏱ Total Time

  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Freeze Time: 1 hour
  • Bake Time: 23 minutes
  • Total: ~1 hour 35 minutes

🔪 Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Freezer
  • Oven

🧂 Ingredients

Ingredient Imperial Metric
Puff pastry sheet 1 sheet ~250 g
White granulated sugar ~½ cup total ~100 g total

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Unfold the puff pastry (1 sheet / ~250g) onto a clean surface. It should be just thawed enough to unfold without cracking.

  2. Sprinkle a generous amount of sugar (about 2 tablespoons / 25g) evenly across the entire surface of the pastry.

  3. Fold both short ends of the pastry toward the center so the edges meet in the middle.
    ➕ Sprinkle another tablespoon (12g) of sugar over the surface.

  4. Fold both sides inward again to meet in the middle.
    ➕ Add another layer of sugar (~1 tablespoon / 12g).

  5. Fold the pastry in half like a book, creating a long, thick log shape.

  6. Gently roll the log in the remaining sugar (~1–2 tablespoons / 25g) to coat the outside completely.

  7. Freeze the log on a parchment-lined baking sheet for at least 1 hour, or until fully firm.

  8. Once frozen, slice into 1 cm (⅜ inch) thick pieces using a sharp knife.

  9. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them out. Let them thaw for 5 minutes.

  10. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) while the slices rest.
    ➕ Optionally, sprinkle a bit more sugar (~1 teaspoon / 5g) on top for extra caramelization.

  11. Bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 15 minutes.

  12. Flip each piece and continue baking for another 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and edges are crispy and caramelized.

  13. Cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature!

💡 Notes

  • These store beautifully in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • For variation, try cinnamon sugar or a pinch of flaky salt for contrast.

Enjoy your delightfully crisp, buttery elephant ears! 🐘