Barefoot Contessa’s Palmiers (Elephant Ear) Cookies — Fancy Casual

Introduction

Few cookies deliver both visual elegance and satisfying simplicity like Barefoot Contessa’s Palmiers, also known as Elephant Ear Cookies. With their beautiful spiraled shape, golden crispness, and buttery sweetness, these pastries invite both “oohs” and “aahs” — yet come together with minimal effort. They require just two main ingredients, making them perfect for spontaneous entertaining or a last-minute sweet treat.

Why Barefoot Contessa’s Palmiers Are Irresistible

What sets Palmiers apart is their enticing caramelized crust, created by rolling puff pastry with a generous layer of sugar. The outside bakes to a delicate crisp, while the inside remains ever-so-slightly chewy and buttery. Their ornate appearance belies the simplicity of their preparation—a recipe that marries fancy flair with casual convenience.

Choosing and Prepping the Puff Pastry

For truly impressive Palmiers, start with high-quality, all-butter puff pastry. Thaw the pastry overnight in your refrigerator for best results, ensuring it’s pliable but still cold when you begin. A dusting of sugar not only prevents sticking but lets each fold become beautifully caramelized in the oven.

Rolling your pastry evenly is crucial: a Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet is an excellent makeshift weight if you want to gently press and flatten before slicing, ensuring precise, uniform cookies.

Shaping and Slicing the Elephant Ears

Sprinkle a clean work surface generously with sugar, and unroll or unfold your pastry sheet. Spread another layer of sugar on top—don’t be shy! Carefully roll both sides inward, meeting at the center to create the signature “double scroll.” When slicing the logs into even pieces, a sharp pair of KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears with Protective Sheath, Black guarantees clean edges, essential for that perfect elephant ear swirl.

The Main Event: Baking the Palmiers

Place your sliced cookies cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, which ensures effortless removal and no sticking. As the sugar melts and the pastry puffs, they’ll transform into golden, crispy confectionery works of art. Halfway through baking, gently flip each cookie with a thin spatula for even caramelization—a step made easier with a Lifewit Silverware Drawer Organizer to keep all your utensils at arm’s reach.

Serving and Storing Suggestions

Palmiers shine on their own or as a sophisticated companion to coffee or tea. Their crispness lasts for days if kept in an airtight container. They’re crowd-pleasing on dessert platters, at brunch events, or for elevating weeknight treats with minimal fuss.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This easy recipe makes about 24 cookies, with each palmier clocking in at roughly 70–80 calories, depending on the puff pastry and sugar amount used. Simple ingredients and spectacular results—proof you don’t need to spend big to go fancy.

Barefoot Contessa’s Palmiers (Elephant Ear) Cookies — Recap

Combining bakery-worthy looks and effortless technique, this recipe provides a shortcut to show-stopping pastries using only pantry staples. Crispy, buttery, and sparkling with caramelized sugar, these cookies are destined to become a go-to for any occasion.

Ingredients:
1 package (about 14–17 oz) frozen all-butter puff pastry, thawed and cold
1 cup granulated sugar (plus more for work surface)
½ teaspoon kosher salt (optional, for a hint of contrast)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for effortless cookie removal and cleanup.
2. On a clean surface, spread ½ cup of sugar evenly. Unfold or unroll the puff pastry onto the sugared surface. Sprinkle the remaining sugar evenly over the top and gently press in.
3. With a rolling pin, roll out the pastry to a 12 x 12-inch square, ensuring sugar is distributed underneath and on top of the dough.
4. Fold each side of the pastry square inward to meet at the middle, then fold each side in again so they meet at the center. Finally, fold one half over the other, creating a long, layered log.
5. With a sharp knife or KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears with Protective Sheath, Black, slice the log into ½-inch thick pieces (about 24 slices total).
6. Place slices cut side up 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Optionally, use a Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet to gently weight the cookies for even thickness before baking.
7. Bake for 12 minutes, flip each cookie with a spatula, and bake for another 6–8 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized.
8. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Enjoy these dazzling, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that combine chic bakery flair with accessible home-cooking ease!