Embrace the festive spirit with our incredibly simple yet utterly irresistible Chocolate and Hazelnut Palmiers. This magical 3-ingredient recipe transforms delicate puff pastry into golden, crispy butterfly-shaped cookies, each centered with a luscious swirl of velvety chocolate-hazelnut spread and generously studded with crunchy chopped hazelnuts. Perfect for spreading holiday cheer, these delightful treats are ideal as beautiful handmade gifts, an elegant accompaniment to coffee for unexpected guests, or a special indulgence left out for Santa himself! Their ease of preparation makes them a fantastic activity for all ages, creating cherished memories and delectable results.
There’s always a lingering question when a jar of Nutella nears its end: what delightful creation can one whip up before resorting to a spoon? While the temptation to simply dig in is strong, allow me to gently steer you towards another exquisite option, perhaps like these chocolate Nutella rolls with vanilla sugar glaze. They share a similar concept to the beloved cinnamon bun and are wonderfully freezer-friendly, promising a future treat just a thaw away.
This particular recipe for chocolate hazelnut palmiers holds a special place in my heart, having graced the Vikalinka blog since the days my children still believed in the wondrous magic of Santa Claus. Re-reading it now fills me with a sweet nostalgia, transporting me back to those precious times when Christmas was viewed through tiny, wide, and utterly enchanted eyes. It evokes memories of shared laughter in the kitchen, flour dusting little noses, and the joyful anticipation of holiday treats cooling on the counter.
Today, both my children are away at university, and many of those adorable Christmas traditions have gently faded into the past. It’s hard to pinpoint the last time we baked cookies together, the bustling energy of small hands replaced by a quieter household during the holidays. However, one thing remains constant: their unwavering enthusiasm for homemade treats! And so, this year, these delicate puff pastry palmiers will still be eagerly gobbled up, perhaps alongside a comforting mug of festive mulled wine – a different kind of silver lining, perhaps, but equally heartwarming.
How to Make Effortless Chocolate Hazelnut Palmiers
If you’re searching for a baking project that truly simplifies the process, look no further. This recipe for chocolate palmiers is, without a doubt, one of the easiest you’ll ever encounter. It’s an absolute gem for engaging small children during holiday breaks from school, fostering a love for baking without the stress of complicated steps or extensive ingredient lists. The beauty lies in its minimalist approach, proving that you don’t need a pantry full of exotic items or hours of kitchen time to create something truly spectacular.
The magic unfolds with just three readily available ingredients, designed to get you from craving to crumbly deliciousness in record time. These aren’t obscure specialty items; they’re staples you can easily pick up from your local grocery store, making spontaneity in your holiday baking endeavors a real possibility:
- Ready-made, store-bought all-butter puff pastry: The foundation of our crispy palmiers. Opting for an all-butter variety elevates the flavor profile and ensures that signature flakiness. The convenience of pre-made pastry sheets cannot be overstated, eliminating hours of delicate dough preparation.
- A jar of Nutella (or your preferred nut-free chocolate spread): The decadent heart of these cookies. Nutella’s rich, creamy texture and distinct hazelnut-chocolate flavor are perfectly suited for this recipe. For those with nut allergies or preferences, a good quality nut-free chocolate spread works beautifully as an alternative.
- A handful of chopped hazelnuts (optional, but highly recommended): These add a delightful crunch and intensify the hazelnut notes already present in the spread. If you’re a fan of texture and enhanced flavor, don’t skip this simple addition.
The assembly process itself is as enjoyable as it is straightforward. Begin by unrolling your sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface or parchment paper. Evenly spread the luscious Nutella across the entire surface of the pastry, ensuring a consistent layer from edge to edge. This smooth, chocolatey canvas is then adorned with your chopped hazelnuts, adding a pleasant texture and burst of nutty flavor. Now comes the truly fun and transformative part: shaping the iconic butterfly, or “palm-leaf” as its French name suggests. From each of the longer ends of the pastry sheet, begin to roll inwards, creating two neat scrolls that gracefully meet in the middle. The goal is a symmetrical, compact roll that will later yield beautifully uniform cookies.
Once your pastry scroll is perfectly formed, resist the urge to immediately slice and bake. This critical step ensures your palmiers hold their shape and achieve maximum flakiness. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a minimum of 30 minutes. This chilling period allows the butter in the puff pastry to firm up, preventing excessive spreading during baking and helping to maintain those lovely, distinct layers. After it’s thoroughly chilled, take your scroll from the refrigerator and, with a sharp knife, slice it into 14-16 even palmier cookies, each approximately ½ inch thick. Arrange these delicate spirals on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring ample space between each one to allow for expansion. Then, into the preheated oven they go!
The hardest part, without a doubt, is the agonizing wait as the tantalizing aroma of baking chocolate and hazelnuts fills your kitchen. Watching them puff up and turn a glorious golden brown is a testament to the simplicity and magic of this recipe.
Expert Recipe Tips and Notes for Perfect Palmiers
- Chill Your Pastry Thoroughly: Always ensure your puff pastry is well-chilled before it goes into the oven, and especially after you’ve rolled it. This is perhaps the most crucial tip! Cold pastry is essential for maintaining the distinctive heart-like or butterfly shape and achieving that desirable flaky texture. If the pastry is too warm, the butter will melt too quickly, causing the palmiers to spread excessively and lose their definition.
- Warm the Nutella for Easy Spreading: If your Nutella is quite firm, gently warm it slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a warm water bath. This will give it a more spreadable consistency, making it easier to apply an even layer across the delicate puff pastry without tearing it. A smooth, even layer is key for uniform flavor distribution.
- Consider Your Roll Direction: The way you roll your pastry dictates the size of your palmiers. Rolling from the long side of the pastry sheet will yield smaller, daintier palmiers, perfect for bite-sized treats (around 14-16 cookies). If you prefer larger, more substantial palmiers, roll from the short side. Experiment to find your preferred size!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Give your palmiers plenty of space to expand on the baking sheet. If they are too close together, they will steam rather than crisp, and might stick to each other as they bake.
- Monitor Baking Closely: Puff pastry can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly. Keep a close eye on your palmiers, especially towards the end of the baking time, to ensure they achieve a beautiful, even golden-brown color without scorching.
- Use Parchment Paper: Always line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, ensures even baking, and makes for super easy cleanup.
Delightful Serving Suggestions
Allowing your freshly baked chocolate palmiers to cool completely is key to unlocking their full potential. As they cool, the pastry crisps up beautifully, transforming into a delightfully flaky and delicate treat. For an extra touch of festive elegance, dust them generously with a whimsical drift of icing sugar just before serving. This not only adds a touch of visual appeal but also a subtle sweetness that complements the rich chocolate and hazelnut flavors.
These versatile palmiers are perfect companions for a variety of beverages. Serve them alongside your favorite rich, aromatic coffee for a sophisticated morning treat, or with a comforting cup of tea for an afternoon indulgence. For a truly luxurious experience, pair them with a velvety, homemade hot chocolate, creating a symphony of comforting flavors and textures that is simply irresistible.
There’s something truly special about a handmade gift, especially one that can be savored and enjoyed! Homemade Christmas cookies are not only breathtakingly festive but also incredibly delicious and thoughtful. Elevate your gift-giving by curating your own signature selection boxes to present to family and friends. These chocolate hazelnut palmiers are a fantastic addition, but here are another four tantalizing treats to consider including in your personalized festive assortment:
Lemon and Ricotta Cookies: A wonderful counterpoint to chocolate, these cookies are light, wonderfully lemony, and offer a refreshing burst of citrus in every bite.
White Chocolate and Matcha Cookies: Infused with the earthy notes of matcha and creamy white chocolate, these chewy cookies become instantly Christmassy with the addition of festive red and green M&M’s.
Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies: Combining rich chocolate cookie dough with a refreshing peppermint crunch, these festive cookies often feature a beautiful, decorative design that’s perfect for the holidays.
Honey, Cinnamon, and Walnut Rugelach: These delicate, crumbly crescents are packed with warm, inviting Christmas flavors, making them a delightful and traditional addition to any holiday cookie platter.
Storage and Leftovers: Keeping Your Palmiers Fresh
One of the many benefits of these charming puff pastry palmiers is their excellent shelf life and freezer-friendly nature, making them perfect for advance preparation or enjoying over several days. Once completely cooled, these pretty cookies will maintain their delightful crispness and flavor for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Ensure the container is truly airtight to protect them from moisture and preserve their flaky texture.
They also make fantastic freezers. To freeze, arrange the cooled palmiers in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash-freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will keep beautifully for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, there’s no need to thaw. Simply reheat them directly from frozen in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and crisp. This reheating process helps to revive their fresh-baked texture and aroma, making them taste as good as new.
More Festive Christmas Treats to Explore
If you’re still on the hunt for more delectable holiday baking inspiration, these recipes from the Vikalinka kitchen are sure to delight:
- Baileys Truffles
- Butter Tarts
- White Christmas Truffle Cake
- Frostbitten Raspberry Cake
Nutella and Hazelnut Palmiers
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Offset spatula
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 320g / 11oz puff pastry, 1 pre-made sheet
- 4-5 tbsp Nutella
- 45g / 1/3 cup hazelnuts, finely chopped
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Put your sheet of puff pastry on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Spread Nutella on your puff pastry sheet with a spatula in a thin layer. Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts all over.
- Start rolling tightly from one side and reach the centre, repeat the same on the other side until you reach the centre. If you roll from a long side you will have mini palmiers like I did but if you roll from a short side you will end up with large palmiers.
- Cover it with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425F/220C.
- Take your roll out of the fridge and slice into 1/2″ thickness. Place palmiers 2″ apart on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden.
- Cool on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
This recipe will make approximately 30 palmiers, depending on how thickly you slice them.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.