Crispy Puff Pastry Palmiers (Monkey Ears): A Sweet and Simple Treat
Looking for a quick and delightful snack that combines elegance with irresistible crunch? These Puff Pastry Palmiers—affectionately known as “Monkey Ears”—are a golden, sugary treat made with just two ingredients. Perfect with coffee or as an after-dinner bite, this recipe is effortless and delivers bakery-style results at home.
🧾 Ingredients
- 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry (pre-laminated)
- Granulated sugar (preferably coarse or raw sugar for crunch)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Thaw the Puff Pastry
Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature until pliable, but still cool to the touch. Keep it on the included plastic or parchment liner.
2. Sugar Coating
Sprinkle a generous amount of granulated sugar over the pastry. Gently press the sugar into the dough using a rolling pin—this ensures the sugar adheres well and caramelizes beautifully when baked.
3. Shape the Dough
There are two traditional ways to shape Monkey Ears:
- Classic Palmier Style: Roll both long edges of the dough inward toward the center until they meet. The shape should resemble a scroll or binoculars.
- Folded Method: Mark the center of the sheet and fold each end toward the middle, repeating until you get 3–4 layers. Each fold should be around 5 cm (2 inches) wide.
Once shaped, wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for about 1 hour. This helps the pastry hold its shape during slicing and baking.
4. Slice and Sugar Again
Unwrap the chilled dough and slice into cookies about 1 cm (½ inch) thick using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. For folded shapes, gently flare the edges outward to resemble traditional monkey ears.
Dip each slice in more granulated sugar, coating both sides for a crunchy finish.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection
Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Arrange the cookies with enough space between them (they will puff and spread).
- Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for 15 minutes.
- Flip the cookies over and bake for another 8–10 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown and crisp.
Let cool on a wire rack before serving.
🌟 Pro Baking Tips
- Don’t skip the chilling step – it keeps the pastry from losing its shape in the oven.
- Use raw or turbinado sugar for extra crunch and a rustic appearance.
- For a twist, add ground cinnamon to the sugar or brush the dough lightly with melted butter before sugaring.
🫖 Serving Suggestions
These sweet, crispy pastries pair beautifully with:
- A hot cup of coffee or espresso
- Afternoon tea
- Light desserts like fruit compote or vanilla ice cream
📌 Why This Recipe Is Worth Saving
- Only 2 ingredients
- No special tools or techniques required
- Deliciously crisp, caramelized texture
- Customizable with cinnamon, nutmeg, or even chocolate
🔚 Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something sweet, simple, and elegant, these Puff Pastry Monkey Ears are the perfect solution. Whether you call them palmiers, elephant ears, or orelhas de macaco, they’ll win you over with their buttery layers and golden crunch. Keep a batch in the freezer, and you’ll always be just minutes away from a bakery-style indulgence.
