Cinnamon Palmiers are easy to make with puff pastry! Sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and baked to flaky perfection, these “elephant ears” make any morning better.
Have you ever had an “elephant ear” pastry? Cinnamon Palmiers or “Elephant Ears” are a simple treat made of puff pastry rolled into a spiral with cinnamon sugar and baked. The nickname comes from the shape of the palmier: this food really DOES resemble the jumbo ear of an elephant!
This cinnamon sugar palmier recipe is one of the quickest and easiest pastry recipes you can make. The flaky layers of baked pastry dough and sweet cinnamon spice are perfect for pairing with a cup of coffee or tea.
Everyone loves homemade cinnamon sugar pastries for breakfast!
Get this: you only need three ingredients to make these cinnamon sugar palmiers.
Puff pastry dough- I use the sheets of frozen store-bought puff pastry and let them thaw in the fridge. So simple and convenient!
Sugar
Cinnamon
Plastic Wrap
Small bowl
Baking sheet with parchment paper
Wire cooling rack
This recipe comes together in a few easy steps.
Prepare: I preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Then I mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
Roll out the pastry dough: I spread about half of the cinnamon sugar mix on the counter first and gently unroll the dough into a rectangle on top.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top: I sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar all the way to the edges to ensure every bite is full of delicious cinnamon flavor.
Roll and chill: Now I roll one of the longer sides in toward the center of the rectangle, stopping in the center of the dough. I repeat this with the opposite side, so I have two spiral logs. Then I wrap the rolled-up dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for about 1 hour.
Bake: I cut the chilled dough into ½ inch slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1-2 inches apart, then bake at 400°F for 12 – 15 minutes. I rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time so the cinnamon palmiers bake evenly.
Your kitchen will smell amazing as these are baking! And as good as the palmiers smell, I promise they taste even better.
Can I make this recipe with homemade puff pastry dough?
I have never made my own puff pastry dough from scratch for this particular recipe. If you have a go-to recipe you love, I’m sure it would work well here. Give it a try and let me know!
How do I store Cinnamon Palmiers?
Store these baked and cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. Don’t put them in the fridge, as the moisture inside will dissolve the cinnamon-sugar coating, making the cookies soft and sticky.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze already baked Cinnamon Palmiers in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper in between layers. Freeze for 1-2 months, then re-crisp them for a few minutes in a hot oven.
Can I freeze the dough for Palmiers?
Yes, you can roll and chill the puff pastry log, slice it into individual cookies, then freeze them flat on a baking sheet for 30-45 minutes. Once firm, transfer them to a freezer bag and store for 2-3 months. Bake right from frozen, though you might need to add a minute or two to the bake time.
This elephant ears food isn’t the only easy recipe you can make with frozen puff pastry dough. I like to keep a few sheets stocked in the freezer as a shortcut for so many of my favorite desserts and a few savory dishes too!
Cheesy Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls
Shake up your kitchen routine with these other delicious and easy breakfast recipes. From quick morning meal ideas to decadent weekend spreads, we’ve got you covered!
Denver Scrambled Breakfast Braid
Mexican Breakfast Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
The form can be filled in the actual website url.
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from 365 Days of Baking and More.
This post was originally published March 23, 2022. It has been updated in format and with photos on October 13, 2026.
The post Cinnamon Palmiers appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.