Rainbow Puff Pastry Cookies French Palmiers Recipes

FRENCH PALMIER COOKIES

Steps:

• First, make our recipe for rough puff pastry. Roll out the pastry rectangle slightly and split it into two rectangles. Re-wrap and return one of them to the fridge to stay chilled. You will be able to make two batches of palmiers, with different flavors if you like.
• Mix together the sugar and salt. Divide the mixture in half (about a ¼ cup each). Spread out 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture onto a clean work surface and roll out the single puff pastry rectangle into a 12 inch square on top of the sugar.
• Spread another 2 tablespoons evenly on top, and lightly roll it into the dough, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Be sure to gather any loose sugar on the work surface and use it on top of the dough. This should use ¼ cup total sugar.
• If using any added ingredients (e.g., dark chocolate, pecans, rosemary/garlic, etc.), sprinkle half over the folded dough. (Note, for the savory mixtures, you are replacing the sugar.)
• Fold both sides of the square toward the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold the folded sides again so the two folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. If using any added ingredients (e.g., dark chocolate, pecans, rosemary/garlic, etc.), sprinkle more over the folded dough. Fold in half again so you have one long log, and wrap the dough in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 15 minutes in the freezer.
• Repeat the process using the other half of the dough and flavoring mixture.
• When the dough is nearly done chilling, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F/220 degrees C. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into ½ inch pieces. Place them on a baking sheet at least 3 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, layered on top of a piece of aluminum foil. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

RAINBOW PUFF PASTRY COOKIES (FRENCH PALMIERS)

Steps:

• Prepare 6 different jars or ziploc bags, 1 per color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to a jar / bag and then a few drops of liquid food coloring or a pinch of gel food coloring. Shake / knead until the sugar is evenly colored.
• Do you only have red, yellow and blue? Make orange with red + yellow, green with yellow + blue and purple with blue + red.
• Roll out the fresh puff pastry. Then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of white sugar over the dough and roll the sugar with a rolling pin in the puff pastry. Then turn the puff pastry over.
• Sprinkle the colored sugar over the long length (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) so that you get 6 lanes over the short length.
• Then roll over the sugar gently with a rolling pin. Roll the long sides of the puff pastry by hand, to the center. Repeat on the other side, so that the two rolls meet in the middle (between the yellow and green sugar).
• Wrap the puff pastry in baking paper or plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes (10 minutes in the freezer if you are in a rush!).
• Preheat the oven to 430 °F / 220 °C.
• Remove the roll from the fridge / freezer. Cut the dough into pieces of about 1.5 cm (⅗ inch) with a knife. Place the pieces on (silicone) baking paper. Brush the baking paper with oil first (this is not necessary if you use silicone baking paper).
• Bake the cookies in 15 minutes. Let the cookies cool for 1-2 minutes and then carefully loosen them with a spatula. Otherwise, they will stick due to the melted sugar.

PALMIERS (FRENCH PUFF PASTRY COOKIES)

Steps:

• Thaw out puff pastry, but make sure it stays chilled. You want it pliable (chill it again if it gets warm and sticky). Puff pastry should already be 1/8 inch thick - if not, roll it out to that thickness.
• If your pastry cracks you can seal it together with a little water and your finger.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, or a section from a brown paper bag to fit.
• Spread SUGAR on the counter like you would flour to roll out dough.
• Lay out one sheet of pastry (keep 2nd sheet in fridge for now). Sprinkle the top with sugar as if you were rolling the dough out.
• Take the two sides of dough and fold them in towards each other halfway to the center and press down lightly.
• Then take the folded edges and fold them in to meet in the center. Then fold them together like closing a book, it should look like a U shape.
• Cut into 3/8 inch slices with a sharp knife and place on cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle with a light coating of sugar and place in the oven for 6 to 7 minutes.
• Work on the second sheet at this time.
• Pull out and turn cookies over and sprinkle that side. Bake 3-5 minutes more or until center is done and edges are golden.
• Transfer to wire racks to cool, then store in an airtight container.
• Optional items: Use cinnamon sugar in place of sugar.
• The glaze can be drizzled over the top to finish it off.

RAINBOW COOKIES

Steps:

• Grease the bottoms of 3 matching 13x9-in. baking pans (or reuse 1 pan). Line the pans with waxed paper; grease the paper. , Place almond paste in a large bowl; break up with a fork. Cream with butter, sugar and egg yolks until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Stir in flour. In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold into dough, mixing until thoroughly blended. , Divide dough into 3 portions (about 1-1/3 cups each). Color 1 portion with red food coloring and 1 with green; leave the remaining portion uncolored. Spread each portion into the prepared pans. Bake at 350° until edges are light golden brown, 10-12 minutes. , Invert onto wire racks; remove waxed paper. Place another wire rack on top and turn over. Cool completely. , Place green layer on a large piece of plastic wrap. Spread evenly with raspberry jam. Top with uncolored layer and spread with apricot jam. Top with pink layer. Bring plastic wrap over layers. Slide onto a baking sheet and set a cutting board or a heavy, flat pan on top to compress layers. Refrigerate overnight. , The next day, melt chocolate in a microwave; stir until smooth. Spread over top layer; allow to harden. With a sharp knife, trim edges. Cut into 1/2-in. strips across the width; then cut each strip into 4-5 pieces. Store in airtight containers.