Star Palmiers with Caramelized Sugar Layers
Original Recipe adapted by JojoM
Flaky, buttery star-shaped palmiers made from homemade puff pastry rolled with brown sugar and piloncillo. Crisp, caramelized, and perfect for gifting.
Flaky, Festive, and Beautifully Caramelized ✨
These Star Palmiers with Caramelized Sugar Layers are an irresistible twist on the classic French palmier. Instead of the traditional rolled hearts, this version transforms homemade puff pastry into a stunning star shape—perfect for gifting, holiday brunches, or an elegant dessert board.
What makes these extra special is the blend of brown sugar and piloncillo, which melts between the layers during lamination and creates deep caramel notes and a beautifully crisp finish 😍. If you've never worked with piloncillo before, this recipe is the perfect introduction—it brings richness and complexity that plain sugar just can’t replicate.
Why This Recipe Works ⭐
Making puff pastry from scratch may seem intimidating, but this method uses beurre manié and détrempe to create a dough that’s forgiving, flavorful, and wonderfully flaky. Proper lamination—with sugar added during the turns—ensures that every bite snaps with caramelized layers. The result? A golden star pastry that looks like it came from a French pâtisserie.
What to Expect from the Texture
- Flaky exterior with crisp edges
- Caramel-drenched layers that melt slightly into the folds
- Soft, buttery center thanks to the star formation
- An aroma of piloncillo and warm sugar that fills the kitchen 🧡
A Festive Showstopper 🎁
Because the strips are twisted and arranged into a circle, you get a naturally star-shaped pastry that feels celebratory and artisanal. It’s the kind of bake that looks far more complicated than it is—and the flavor delivers on every flaky layer.
Whether you’re enjoying these with coffee, gifting them during the holidays, or adding them to your weekend bake list, these star palmiers are guaranteed to impress.
Tips for Perfect Results 💡
- Keep the dough cold at all times—this is key to flaky lamination.
- A mix of brown sugar + piloncillo brings deeper caramelization than one sugar alone.
- Use a sharp knife for cutting strips to preserve the layers.
- Always cool fully to let the caramelized sugar set and become crisp.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Absolutely—choose an all-butter variety for best flavor. While you won’t get caramelized sugar laminated inside the dough, you’ll still get a beautiful star-shaped pastry with a lovely crisp finish.
Enjoy creating this festive, flaky masterpiece! ⭐
Star Palmiers with Caramelized Sugar Layers
Original Recipe adapted by JojoMFlaky, buttery star-shaped palmiers made from homemade puff pastry rolled with brown sugar and piloncillo. Crisp, caramelized, and perfect for gifting.
Chef's Tips
Chill the dough thoroughly between turns to prevent butter leakage.
Piloncillo adds a deeper caramel flavor; substitute dark brown sugar if unavailable.
Use a very sharp knife when cutting strips to avoid compressing layers.
Tools Used
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Ingredients
Beurre Manié (Kneaded Butter)
Détrempe (Water Dough)
Assembly
Instructions
Make the Beurre Manié
- 1
Beat the butter and flour in a stand mixer for about 10 minutes.
- 2
Roll out into a 40×115 cm (16×45 inch) rectangle, 10 mm thick.
Make the Détrempe
- 1
In a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix water, salt, vinegar, butter, and flour for 15 minutes until smooth.
- 2
Roll into a 38 cm (15 inch) square.
Combine and Laminate
- 1
Place the détrempe in the center of the beurre manié and fold edges over to encase it.
- 2
Roll out and make the first turn; chill 1 hour.
- 3
Repeat for the second turn; chill 1 hour.
- 4
Make two more turns, sprinkling brown sugar and piloncillo each time; chill between turns.
- 5
Roll final dough to 4 mm (⅛ inch) thickness.
Shape the Star Palmiers
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (360°F).
- 2
Cut the dough into 14×7.5 cm (5.5×3 inch) strips.
- 3
Twist each strip once and arrange side by side to form a circle; pinch in the center to create a star.
- 4
Place in a round cake pan and bake 20 minutes.
- 5
Cool fully on a rack.
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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 palmier
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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