Colorful Folded Puff Pastry Treats

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These elegant puff pastry cookies transform store-bought dough into impressive treats with minimal effort. The pastry is coated in vibrant red sugar before being folded into six beautiful layers. After baking to golden perfection, each cookie is dipped in either white or dark chocolate and finished with festive sprinkles. The result is a delightful contrast of textures—crisp, flaky layers with a sweet, decorative finish that's perfect for Valentine's Day or any special occasion.

Chef with a smile, ready to cook and serve.
Updated on Fri, 02 May 2025 19:35:36 GMT
A plate of pastries with red sprinkles. Pin it
A plate of pastries with red sprinkles. | recipesbysandra.com

This flaky puff pastry cookie recipe transforms simple ingredients into elegant desserts that look like they came from a fancy bakery. They feature beautiful spiral designs coated with sparkling sugar that caramelizes during baking, creating a sweet crunch that contrasts perfectly with the buttery layers.

I first made these for a Valentine's Day party and they disappeared faster than any other dessert. The beautiful red sugar spirals had everyone asking for the recipe, assuming they required advanced baking skills.

Ingredients

  • Puff pastry sheet: preferably all butter for the richest flavor
  • Red sugar sprinkles: they add both color and a satisfying crunch
  • White melting wafers: create a smooth sweet coating that sets beautifully
  • Semi sweet chocolate chips: provide a rich chocolate contrast to the sweet pastry
  • Shortening: helps thin the chocolate for easier dipping
  • Valentine's Day sprinkles: personalize the cookies for the occasion but can be swapped for any seasonal decoration

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the dough:
Preheat your oven to 400°F while preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread half of your colored sugar on another piece of parchment. Place the full puff pastry sheet directly onto the sugar layer. Sprinkle the remaining sugar on top and press gently to adhere. This creates a beautiful sparkling exterior that caramelizes slightly during baking. For easier handling use disposable gloves and if the sugar isn't sticking well a light mist of cooking spray will help it adhere.
Create the classic palmier fold:
Fold both short ends of the sugar coated pastry toward the center so they meet in the middle. Then fold one half over the other creating six distinct layers of pastry. This traditional palmier folding technique creates those beautiful spirals that make these cookies so visually striking. Make sure to press gently as you fold to maintain the shape.
Slice and arrange:
Using a sharp knife cut the folded dough into approximately half inch slices. Place them cut side up on your parchment lined baking sheet leaving about two inches between cookies. They will expand considerably during baking so give them space to grow. Arranging them in opposite directions helps maximize space on your baking sheet.
Bake to golden perfection:
Bake at 400°F for 10 to 13 minutes watching carefully toward the end. The cookies should be puffed up with a golden color and caramelized sugar. The high baking temperature is crucial for proper puff pastry rising. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating as they will continue to crisp as they cool.
Add decorative touches:
Melt white candy coating in a microwave safe bowl using 30 second intervals and stirring between each. In a separate bowl melt chocolate chips with shortening using the same method. Dip one side of each cooled cookie into either the white or chocolate coating and place on parchment. Immediately add sprinkles before the coating sets. The contrast between the white chocolate and semi sweet creates a beautiful presentation.
Two pastries with red filling. Pin it
Two pastries with red filling. | recipesbysandra.com

The red sugar sprinkles are truly magical in this recipe. When they hit the hot oven they develop a subtle caramelized flavor that elevates these cookies from simple to sophisticated. My daughter now requests these for every special occasion and has started helping me create new color combinations for different holidays.

Storage Suggestions

These palmier style cookies are best enjoyed within 2 days of baking when they maintain their perfect texture. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need to stack them place a sheet of parchment between layers to prevent sticking. Avoid refrigerating as this can make the pastry soggy. Freezing the unbaked sliced dough works beautifully allowing you to bake fresh cookies whenever desired just add 2 minutes to the baking time.

A plate of pastries with red icing. Pin it
A plate of pastries with red icing. | recipesbysandra.com

Seasonal Variations

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. For Christmas use green and red sprinkles with a hint of peppermint extract in the chocolate coating. Fourth of July calls for blue sugar with white coating and red sprinkles. Halloween orange sugar with black sprinkles creates spooky spirals. The technique remains the same but the colors transform these cookies for any celebration throughout the year making them a versatile addition to your baking repertoire.

Serving Ideas

Present these elegant cookies on a tiered stand for maximum visual impact at parties. They pair wonderfully with coffee espresso or hot chocolate as the crisp texture complements warm beverages perfectly. For a dessert platter arrangement pair them with fresh berries and whipped cream. They also make beautiful edible gifts packaged in clear cellophane bags tied with coordinating ribbon an impressive homemade treat that looks professionally crafted.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use different colored sugar for these pastries?

Absolutely! While red sugar creates a festive Valentine's Day look, you can customize these with any colored sugar to match different holidays or occasions. Green for St. Patrick's, orange and black for Halloween, or blue for baby showers would all work beautifully.

→ Why do you need to fold the puff pastry multiple times?

The multiple folds create the signature layers that make these cookies so special. Each fold multiplies the buttery layers, resulting in a delicate, flaky texture when baked. The six layers give these cookies their distinctive palmier-like appearance.

→ What can I use if I don't have melting wafers?

If you don't have melting wafers, you can substitute white chocolate chips mixed with 1 teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil. This will help the white chocolate achieve the right consistency for dipping. Alternatively, regular frosting or a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk could work.

→ How should I store these puff pastry cookies?

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

→ Can I prepare these in advance for a party?

Yes! You can prepare and bake the cookies 1-2 days ahead of your event, then store them in an airtight container. For the freshest presentation, save the chocolate dipping and decorating until the day of your gathering. This gives you a nice balance of convenience and freshness.

→ What's the best way to cut the folded pastry?

Use a sharp knife for clean cuts through the multiple layers. For best results, chill the folded pastry for about 15 minutes before cutting - this helps the butter firm up and makes slicing easier. Cut with a gentle sawing motion rather than pressing straight down to avoid compressing the layers.

Puff Pastry Cookies

Buttery puff pastry coated in red sugar, folded into layers, and decorated with chocolate and festive sprinkles.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
13 Minutes
Total Time
33 Minutes
By: Sandra


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-inspired pastry

Yield: 12 Servings (12 palmier-style cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Base Components

01 1 sheet puff pastry
02 ⅓ cup red sugar sprinkles

→ Decorations

03 ½ cup white melting wafers
04 ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
05 1 teaspoon shortening
06 Valentine's Day sprinkles

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Spread half of the colored sugar on a piece of parchment paper. Place the puff pastry sheet on top of the sugar, sprinkle the remaining half of the colored sugar on top, and gently press the sugar onto the puff pastry. Consider wearing disposable gloves for this step. If the sugar won't adhere, lightly moisten the dough with cooking spray.

Step 02

Fold the short ends of the puff pastry twice to meet in the center of the dough. Then, fold one half over the other to create six layers. Cut the dough into slices and arrange them in opposite directions on parchment-lined baking sheets with the cut sides facing up.

Step 03

Bake at 400˚F for 10-13 minutes until golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.

Step 04

Melt the white candy coating in a small bowl in the microwave. In a separate bowl, melt the chocolate chips with shortening. Dip one side of each cooled cookie into either the melted candy coating or chocolate, place on parchment paper, and immediately top with festive sprinkles. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Notes

  1. These cookies feature a beautiful spiral pattern when sliced and baked. The sugar coating creates a sweet, crispy exterior.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Microwave-safe bowls
  • Sharp knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (gluten)
  • May contain milk (dairy) in chocolate and white melting wafers
  • May contain soy in chocolate products