Get a sweet dose of citrus with a few of these super easy, 4-ingredient Lemon Palmier Cookies! Sheets of flaky store-bought puff pastry are transformed into crispy springtime treats with some help from a bit of sugar, lemon zest, and fresh thyme.
One of Abe’s favorite sweets are palmiers (aka elephant ears, French hearts, palm leaves, etc.)
Believe it or not, I never knew until I made this batch of lemon goodies. After pretty much destroying the entire plate, he mentioned how much he loved them.
Noted. Good thing they’re supremely easy to throw together without the hassle of making your own pastry.
I’ve made my own puff pastry before at my old job, and it’s a terribly involved process. Lots of folding and laminating of dough and butter. There’s nothing like a Napoleon or gooey brie en croute made with homemade pastry dough. But the store-bought version is honestly just as delicious, and oh-so-much less work.
These cute, citrusy lemon thyme treats only require 4 ingredients to come together!
This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Why you’ll love palmier cookies
- Super quick to throw together and bake in about an hour!
- Easy, easy, easy thanks to store-bought pastry sheets!
- Highly customizable flavors to try!
- The taste! Buttery, flaky, crispy, and so addicting!
With a minimal amount of work, you can create a batch of gorgeous springtime treats! These bright-flavored palmier cookies are perfect for every occasion, as Easter basket treats or part of a Mother’s Day brunch spread.
Don’t care for thyme? Rosemary would be equally tasty. Or try lime zest in the sugar, and add chopped mint for a summery mojito twist! Or leave out the herbs altogether! Or switch it up and make some Strawberry Palmiers instead!
Actually, that may be the next version I try. I always keep plenty of puff pastry sheets in my freezer.
Ingredients
Palmier cookies are so easy to make! The base recipe only requires the first two ingredients listed here, but it’s so simple to play around with flavors. All you need to pick up is:
- Puff pastry sheets – found in the frozen food section of major supermarkets.
- Granulated or demerara sugar
- Lemon zest
- Fresh thyme leaves – optional, but so tasty!
For exact ingredient measurements and recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
How do you make palmier cookies?
- Remove the sheets from the box and outer wrapping, then thaw the puff pastry sheets at room temperature for 30-40 minutes until they unfold easily.
- For a quicker thaw: wrap the sheets in paper towels and microwave them on high for 15 seconds. Turn them over and microwave for another 15 seconds, adding an additional 5 seconds on each side until they unfold easily.
- While the pastry is thawing, make lemon sugar. Place granulated sugar in a bowl, then add the zest of a lemon. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers, infusing the flavor.
- Sprinkle a bit of the lemon sugar on a large work surface. Place the two puff pastry sheets on top of the sugar and press the edges together to create one long sheet, using a bit of water to help adhere them. Use a rolling pin to thin out the pastry a bit, enlarging it by 1/2″-3/4″.
- Sprinkle 1/3 of the lemon sugar on top of the sheet of puff pastry, pressing it in with the palms of your hands. Evenly sprinkle on the thyme leaves.
- Gently roll each long end to the center of the pastry, making sure each side is rolled tightly and evenly. Carefully cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30-40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the rolled dough into 1/2-inch slices. Press each slice into the remaining lemon sugar, then place 2 inches apart on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping each palmier with a spatula at the halfway mark. Remove when they’re golden brown and crispy. Transfer the cookies to a baking rack and cool completely before serving.
Excited for spring? Here are a few more brunch recipes to get you in the mood!
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If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a 5 STAR RATING! If you really love it, leave us a comment and let us know – we appreciate all forms of feedback!
LET’S CONNECT!
Join in on the fun in our Facebook group! Feel free to share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, help out your fellow home cooks, and see what’s new with The Crumby Kitchen (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.
Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #crumbykitchen so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!
You can also enjoy exclusive content before anyone else by subscribing to our weekly newsletter – and you’ll never miss a delicious recipe again!
Easy Lemon Palmier Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed
- ½ cup granulated sugar or demerara sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves optional
Instructions
- Remove the sheets from the box and outer wrapping, the thaw the sheet of puff pastry at room temperature for 30-40 minutes until they unfold easily.
- While the pastry is thawing, make lemon sugar. Place 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a bowl, then add the zest of a lemon. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers, infusing the flavor.
- Sprinkle 1/3 of the lemon sugar on a large work surface. Place the two sheets of pastry on top of the sugar and press the edges together to create one long sheet, using a bit of water to help adhere them. Use a rolling pin to thin out the pastry a bit, enlarging it by 1/2″-3/4″.
- Sprinkle another 1/3 of the lemon sugar on top of the pastry, pressing it in with the palms of your hands. Evenly sprinkle on the thyme leaves.
- Gently roll each long end to the center of the pastry, making sure each side is rolled tightly and evenly. Carefully cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30-40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the rolled dough into 1/2-inch slices. Press each slice into the remaining lemon sugar, then place 2 inches apart on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping each palmier with a spatula at the halfway mark. Remove when they’re golden brown and crispy. Transfer the cookies to a baking rack and cool completely before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on March 19, 2018 as Easy 4-Ingredient Lemon Thyme Palmiers. It was updated with edited photos, a new title, and updated information on April 15, 2024.
Sandi says
Those palmiers are almost too pretty to eat. I love that you used lemon, this may be my new favorite cookie!
Alyssa says
I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make palmiers at home! This store-bought puff pastry makes it a breeze. Love the lemon flavor!
2pots2cook says
Love this simple yet amazing composition ! Thank you !
Erica says
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you love them as much as we did!
Sean Mahan says
Wow, these looks great! I love recipes with lemon, can’t wait to make this one too!