Palmiers, also known as "elephant ears" or "palm leaves," are a French pastry made from puff pastry dough. The name "palmier" is French for "palm tree," which alludes to the pastry’s distinct shape resembling a palm leaf. Palmiers are typically sweet, but they can be made savory by adding ingredients like tapenade or cheese.

The dough used to make palmiers is puff pastry, a type of laminated dough. Puff pastry is made by layering dough with butter and then folding and rolling it multiple times to create many layers. This process leads to a light, flaky texture when baked. For sweet palmiers, sugar is usually sprinkled over the dough before it is rolled, contributing to a caramelized exterior after baking.

To form palmiers, the sugar-covered dough is rolled from two opposite sides until they meet in the center. The rolled dough is then sliced and baked. This method gives the pastry its signature heart-like or ear-like shape.

Although the exact origin of palmiers is not clear, they are a classic example of French patisserie and have been a part of French baking for many years. They are often enjoyed as a snack, dessert, or a complement to coffee and tea. The simplicity of ingredients and preparation makes them a popular choice among home bakers and professional chefs alike.

Traditionally, palmiers do not contain any filling, making them different from other stuffed or filled pastries. The key to a good palmier lies in using high-quality puff pastry and achieving the right caramelization of the sugar. Their crispy texture and sweet, buttery flavor are hallmarks of this pastry, making them a popular item in bakeries around the world.