What does palmier mean?
A palmier is a sweet, laminated pastry made from puff pastry and sugar. The dough is folded into a series of connected points, producing an unmistakable resemblance to a palm tree or a cluster of palm leaves. Palmiers are often served plain, allowing their crisp, caramelized layers and buttery texture to dominate, but they may also be enhanced with chocolate, almonds, icing, or caramel. The pastry is associated with French and international patisserie, where it is commonly offered as a cookie or viennoiserie. Its appeal lies in the contrast between its delicate, sugar-coated exterior and its light, flaky interior. Because its name describes its distinctive form rather than a particular ingredient, the term has become established well beyond France and is now familiar in bakeries, cafés, and home kitchens throughout the English-speaking world.
nounA sweet pastry made from layered puff pastry and sugar, folded so that its pointed sections resemble the leaves of a palm tree.
- A decorative, usually sweet puff pastry whose folded form resembles a palm tree or palm branch.
"The bakery sells plain and chocolate palmiers alongside its assortment of viennoiserie."
"We shared a basket of palmiers with our coffee during the afternoon break."
"The chef glazed the palmiers with caramel before serving them warm."
The plural is formed by adding -s and is commonly used for individual pastries or an assortment of them.
"The patisserie offers palmiers with chocolate and almond fillings."
A palmier turns a simple sheet of puff pastry into a golden palm tree, with each pointed fold suggesting a frond.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does palmier come from?
The English culinary word comes from French palmier, literally “palm tree,” with the pastry named for the palm-like shape of its folded dough. The French word derives from palme, meaning a palm or palm branch, which ultimately comes from Latin palma, “palm of the hand.” Related forms include palmer, a pilgrim traditionally associated with carrying a palm branch, and the English botanical term palmate.
How palmier is actually used
This is primarily a culinary term. Its pronunciation varies somewhat by region and speaker, and the plural is palmiers.
Easily confused with palmier
A palmer is a pilgrim who traditionally carried a palm branch, whereas a palmier is a pastry shaped like palm foliage.