Chocolate Palmiers

Aug 31, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Beans Medium

Chocolate palmiers on parchment, showing crisp, flaky, deep golden layers

Buttery, flaky palmiers infused with rich dark chocolate throughout and a vanilla bean sugar sprinkle for extra flavor and crunch.

Prep 30 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 20 min

Total 1 hr 5 min

Yield 12 pastries

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

pastries

1.0 lb (454.0 g)all-butter puff pastry, cold
1.0 large (50.0 g)egg, for egg wash
1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)water, for egg wash
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped, for vanilla sugar
4.0 oz (113.0 g)dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa), finely grated

Make it at home

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Instructions

Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Combine the granulated sugar and vanilla seeds thoroughly in a bowl to create vanilla sugar.
Let the cold puff pastry sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes until pliable but still chilled.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash.
Lightly dust a clean work surface with half of the vanilla sugar.
Roll out the puff pastry to a 13x13 inch (33x33 cm) square, keeping an even thickness throughout.
Sprinkle the finely grated dark chocolate evenly over the entire surface of the dough, then sprinkle with the remaining vanilla sugar.
Starting from one edge of the dough, roll it gently towards the center until you reach the middle. Repeat rolling from the opposite edge towards the center so the two rolls meet in the middle.
Press the two rolled halves gently together to seal, forming a double log.
Sprinkle extra vanilla sugar on the outside of the double log, turning to coat all sides lightly.
Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the log crosswise into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick slices.
Place the slices cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches (5 cm) apart.
Lightly brush the tops of the slices with the egg wash.
Chill the prepared baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm the dough before baking.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Bake the palmiers for 12 to 15 minutes until puffed, golden brown, and caramelized, turning the baking sheet halfway through for even baking.
Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

Grate the chocolate finely to help it melt evenly inside the layers without making the dough soggy.
Using vanilla bean seeds in the sugar intensifies the vanilla aroma and adds natural flecks for a gourmet touch.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make chocolate palmiers?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 20 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 12 palmiers.

How should I store chocolate palmiers?

Store cooled palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refresh by heating briefly in a warm oven.

Can I make chocolate palmiers ahead?

Cut and arranged palmiers can be chilled on the baking sheet, covered, up to overnight before baking.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, for vanilla sugar. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Buttery, flaky palmiers infused with rich dark chocolate throughout and a vanilla bean sugar sprinkle for extra flavor and crunch.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

256 Calories / serving

14.9g Fat

27.0g Carbs

3.5g Protein

9.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~3072 cal · 179g fat · 324g carbs · 42g protein · 119g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 256 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 48 min·2.8 mi·~5600 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 35 min·1.8 mi·~3500 steps
Moderate cycling 26 min·5.2 mi
Swimming laps 36 min
Jogging 25 min·2.1 mi·~4000 steps
Stair climbing 24 min·~2150 steps
Dancing 42 min
Bodyweight circuit training 26 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 59 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.