Vanilla Puff Pastry Palmiers: Easy & Delicious Homemade Recipe

Dreaming of a golden, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastry without spending hours in the kitchen? You’re in the right place.
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Whether you're a seasoned baker or a curious foodie, vanilla puff pastry palmiers are the perfect treat to master simple, fun baking techniques. Quick to make, beginner-friendly, and bursting with flavor, this iconic French pastry can easily rival your favorite bakery’s creations.
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As the puff pastry bakes, it caramelizes into beautiful spirals around a sweet, vanilla-scented center… absolutely irresistible! Yet few people know how easy it is to make them at home with just a few ingredients and simple steps.
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In this article, you'll learn:
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• What a vanilla palmier really is and its French origins
  
  
• The essential ingredients to get it right every time
  
  
• Step-by-step instructions to make them like a pro
  
  

So, ready to turn your kitchen into a pastry lab? Follow along  this easy vanilla palmier recipe is calling your name.

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What Is a Vanilla Puff Pastry Palmier?

A vanilla puff pastry palmier is a delicious French pastry with a heart-shaped, crispy texture and rich buttery flavor.

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Origins and History of the Palmier

The palmier originated in France in the 19th century. Its signature heart shape even earned it the nickname “French Heart.”

Made from layers of buttery puff pastry folded into spirals, it caramelizes in the oven to become golden, crisp, and irresistible.

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The Vanilla Twist

Vanilla adds a warm, comforting aroma that pairs beautifully with the caramelized sugar and buttery dough.

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You can use it in various forms:

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• Vanilla sugar
  
  
• Pure vanilla extract
  
  
• Ground vanilla
  
  
• Homemade infused sugar
  
  

Some chefs even infuse the sugar with vanilla before baking for a more intense flavor.

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Key Ingredients for Perfect Vanilla Palmiers

Here’s what you need to make these puff pastry delights at home.

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Puff Pastry

The base of your vanilla palmier is quality puff pastry.

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You can:

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• Use store-bought all-butter puff pastry for convenience
  
  
• Make it from scratch if you have time — the flavor and flakiness are unmatched
  
  

Tip: Always choose all-butter dough. It delivers the rich texture and taste essential to palmiers.

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Vanilla Sugar

This is what gives the palmier its signature scent and sweetness. You have several options:

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• Store-bought vanilla sugar – convenient but often low in real vanilla
  
  
• Homemade vanilla sugar – natural and flavorful (just place a split vanilla bean in a jar of sugar)
  
  
• Vanilla extract – a few drops mixed into the sugar or brushed on the dough
  
  
• Vanilla powder – very aromatic but strong, use sparingly
  
  
• Coconut sugar or brown sugar + vanilla – for a deeper, caramel-like flavor
  
  

Choose the vanilla style you love best there’s no wrong answer here!

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Step-by-Step: How to Make Vanilla Palmiers

Now let’s break down the recipe into simple, actionable steps.

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Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry

This is the foundation of your palmiers.

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If using homemade puff pastry:

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1. Make a basic dough with:
   
   
   • 250 g flour
     
     
   • 125 ml cold water
     
     
   • 1 pinch of salt
     
     
   • 25 g melted butter
     
     
2. Mix until smooth, chill for 30 minutes.
   
   
3. Roll into a square, place 150 g cold butter in the center, fold corners in.
   
   
4. Roll and fold the dough 5–6 times, resting 20 minutes between folds.
   
   

It’s a labor of love  but totally worth it!

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If using store-bought puff pastry:

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1. Simply unroll the dough on a cold surface, keeping the baking paper underneath.
   
   
2. Make sure it stays cold and firm for easy handling.
   
   

Ready? Let’s move on to the fun part: shaping your palmiers.

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Step 2: Shape the Palmiers

This is the most playful and creative part!

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1. Sprinkle your surface with vanilla sugar and lay the dough on top — this flavors the bottom, too.
   
   
2. Add vanilla sugar on top — coat the surface evenly. Add a bit of regular sugar if you like extra crunch.
   
   
3. Roll each side inward toward the center, forming a double spiral.
   
   

Pro tip: Want mini palmiers? Roll each side twice for smaller, bite-sized cookies.

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4. Wrap the rolled dough in plastic wrap and freeze for 15–20 minutes. This firms it up for clean slicing.
   
   
5. Slice into 1 cm (½ inch) pieces, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
   
   

Leave space between each  they’ll puff up beautifully!

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Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

This is where the magic happens!

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1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), fan setting if available — high heat ensures a perfect rise.
   
   
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment and space out the palmiers (3–4 cm apart).
   
   
3. Bake in two stages:
   
   
   • First, bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden.
     
     
   • Remove and flip each palmier using a spatula.
     
     
   • Return to the oven for another 5–8 minutes to brown the other side.
     

Flipping ensures even caramelization and a crispy texture on both sides.

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4. Let cool on a wire rack they’ll crisp up even more as they cool.
   
   

That’s it! Time to enjoy your homemade vanilla palmiers.

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Want to Master French Pastries Like a Pro?

Congrats you just made one of France’s most iconic pastries right in your kitchen!

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By now, you know:

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• The history behind the French heart-shaped palmier
  
  
• How to choose quality ingredients for perfect puff pastry
  
  
• The key steps to prep, shape, and bake like a chef
  
  

So what’s next?

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Level up your pastry skills with expert guidance!

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Join VoilaChef, the online platform where passionate chefs teach authentic French bakery and pastry techniques.

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Get access to step-by-step video tutorials, exclusive recipes, and pro tips to take your baking to the next level.

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