Skip to main content

Gingersnap Palmiers

Palmiers, sometimes called palm leaves, are made with puff pastry folded several times, then sliced, to create a distinctive heart-shaped coil design. Ginger syrup and spiced sugar make these crisp French cookies festive and fragrant.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 3 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup dark unsulfured molasses
2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup water
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
14 ounces good-quality thawed frozen puff pastry, such as Dufour

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring brown sugar, molasses, ginger, and water to a simmer in a saucepan, whisking until sugar has dissolved. Simmer until slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour syrup into a bowl; let cool.

    Step 2

    Whisk granulated sugar, salt, and spices in a bowl. Lightly sprinkle some sugar mixture over a clean work surface; place puff pastry on top. Cut into two 10 by 7-inch pieces. Sprinkle generously with some sugar mixture; press into pastry with a rolling pin. Brush generously with syrup. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll from both long sides, meeting in the center; brush with syrup to seal. Sprinkle generously with sugar mixture. Wrap in plastic; freeze until firm, at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

    Step 3

    Cut each piece of frozen dough crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Dip slices in sugar mixture. Space 2 inches apart on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Flatten with your palm. Freeze 30 minutes.

    Step 4

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake 10 minutes. Flip, and brush with syrup. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F. Bake until darkened, 10 minutes more. Let cool completely on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

  2. How to Form Palmiers

    Step 5

    1. After rolling out the puff pastry to a rectangle and topping with sugar filling, roll up one side of pastry along the edges lengthwise, halfway to center; repeat with the other side.

  3. Step 6

    2. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

Martha Stewart's Cookies
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.