Some of my fellow food bloggers and I got together this weekend for Sunday brunch in my home. To say the event was a food fest is an understatement. Creativity was the unspoken theme as my friends each presented classic buffet dishes with a tasty twist. There were too many to name but whether you favor sweet or savory fare, there was no shortage of either.
I managed to take only these few, less-than-presentable pictures but surprisingly, I’m not disappointed. For once, I was much too busy stuffing myself and enjoying everyone’s company to pay much attention to my camera. Besides, some of my favorite bloggers were in my home–what a privilege to have been able to taste their creations rather than just read about them. I served some appetizers, including my homemade hummus, one of my favorite spring salads and these palmiers.
The palmiers were a product of a last-minute change of plans for dessert. I had planned to make Portuguese Egg Tarts but discarded the idea at the 11th hour in lieu of something easier. I rummaged through my cupboards and saw a jar of Nutella and orange marmalade. Immediately, the pair reminded me of the Godiva truffles infused with Grand Marnier liqueur that I used to enjoy so much–chocolate with a hint of citrus. Would they work together sandwiched in puff pastry, I wondered. Dipping a spoon in the jars to sample the two together hinted at the possibility of success so I decided to go for it.
Palmiers are rolled pieces of puff pastry, and while typically flavored simply with sugar (and sometimes cinnamon), they are friendly to many other flavor combinations, savory and sweet. The Nutella and orange marmalade together worked nicely; I quite enjoyed it actually. The sweet and fruity pairing was mildly reminiscent of the Godiva truffles even though my creation missed the mark in the elegance category. Imagine these decidedly casual guys being served alongside some perfect macarons and a cherry tart with chocolate ganache and you’ll understand what I mean. Fortunately, they were served to the most gracious of food bloggers and they didn’t take away any points for my not-so-pretty puff pastry experiment.
I’m already looking forward to the next blogger get-together!
Here are my notes to make the palmiers look better next time:
- Keep the filling to a minimum. 2 -4 tablespoons is all the puff pastry sheet can handle before it gets weighed down.
- Heat up the Nutella in the microwave for a few seconds to make it easier to spread on the puff pastry.
- Chill the puff pastry after each step in the process. I chilled after rolling, again after spreading the Nutella and again after rolling them.
- Roll the palmiers as tightly as possible. This is much easier with a chilled and underfilled dough.
Nutella-Orange Marmalade Palmiers
* Makes about 28
- 1 package Pepperidge Farm frozen puff pastry, defrosted but chilled (2 sheets)
- About two heaping tablepoons Nutella (for each sheet), heated slightly in the microwave
- About two tablespoons orange marmalade (for each sheet; I used the King Kelly brand)
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. I used the convection feature of my oven so 425°F was my ideal temperature.
- Roll out each pastry sheet into roughly 10 x 12 inch rectangles. I placed mine on parchment paper and chilled them for a few minutes before proceeding.
- Once chilled, spread a bit of the slightly heated Nutella up to roughly 1/2 inch from the edges. Make sure you spread only a thin layer. Chill again if the dough is softened too much by the Nutella.
- Next, spread the orange marmalade.
- Roll the vertical sides of the puff pastry dough, as tightly as you can, until they meet in the middle. You should now have two rolled pieces of puff pastry. I kept mine on the parchment paper after they were rolled and chilled them for thirty minutes.
- Remove from refrigerator and cut the rolls crosswise in half-inch widths. Set each piece on a baking sheet lined with Silpat or parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes (or 8-9 if using convection like I did) until the puff pastry is slightly golden in color.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
This is one of those things that you eat one and can’t stop.
Yum Jean! I make the regular ol’ ones for the kids, but these are a great twist. Hope you guys had a fun foodfest!
I can happily attest to how delicious these last minute palmiers were! The Nutella and marmalade were a perfect pair in the puff pastry – you needn’t worry how they looked besides all the delicious offerings, Jean, they were SO good. Thank you again for being the ever perfect hostess – that was such a delicious and fun morning, I really had such a great time! I’m so glad I was able to join you, and it was wonderful to meet some Bay Area bloggers for the first time, and reconnect with everyone!
Oh! These look so good! I need to jump on the nutella bandwagon!
Oh yum! I wish i had food bloggers in Kuwait to arrange a brunch with 🙂 I can only imagine the fun
Oh how fun! A bloggers brunch sounds like a blast.
This is pure genius!
I can not wait to make these- nuff said. My husband loves homemade palmiers. he and my nutella ninja baby will be all about this!
Nutella makes everything better. Love the close up, really makes you want to lick those palmiers… or is it just me? 🙂
I love chocolate and orange together. What a great flavor combination. It looks delicious!
Omg, this is a killer! I am definitely making this right away. Thanks for sharing, Jean. This will go great with a nice cup of Earl Grey tea!
Sounds like you guys had a fun time! Isn’t it always nice to see what food bloggers will bring to a party? You always end up with tasty things on the table.
These were delicious and something I can’t wait to have again. Everyone was so lovely and the food and company was wonderful. Thank you again for allowing me to partake and for being such a gracious hostess.
Awesome! Palmiers are my favorite sweets and orange and chocolate is another favorite of mine I can only imagine the two together would be great!
What a fun get-together. The palmiers have the perfect combination!
Only you could have thought of such a clever idea at the 11th hour, Jean. Love orange and chocolate! What fun you all must have had.
I love the combination of orange and nutella! These look super yummy.
I can attest to the deliciousness of these palmiers! I’d happily have eaten all of ’em! Thanks again for hosting the brunch and letting us all come hang out and do what we do best- eat! 🙂
Oh my goodness, when can I be invited for a blogger brunch at your house? Everything you mentioned sounded amazing as do these cookies. I love love love orange marmalade
What a great party! And these look delicious! anything with Nutella has to be a winner!
Hi Jean, I thought those little palmiers were delicious, especially coming hot from the oven;-)
Thanks again for hosting everyone at your lovely home. It was fun to meet the other bloggers and enjoy the amazing spread of food with everyone;-)
Puff pastry? Nutella? Marmalade? Oh my! There is nothing I don’t love about this recipe, especially since there’s so little actual work involved. I’ve got a bunch of girlfriends coming over for dinner on a worknight next week, and it looks like you’ve just provided me with a perfect dessert!
I’m making these this weekend! These look fantastic. Your brunch sounds like so much fun:)That close-up shot is making me have a mad craving for one of your palmiers right now:)
Sounds like a lovely brunch, Jean! I looooove palmiers! Mine are all purchased at the bakery however. 🙂 I’ve never been brave enough to make them. Yours are so creative – love the combo of marm and my fave Nutella! No worries about these being less than presentable – they look yummy! 🙂
These sound great! I love palmiers and I have some homemade puff pastry chilling in my freezer… Sounds like a perfect way to use them up! Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a fabulous gathering this must have been! And such a delicious twist on palmiers…mmmmmm.
Jean – these were such divine little bites! The combo of nutella and orange marmalade is pure decadence. You are such a wonderful hostess with the mostess!! Everything was lovely! Thank you again!!! 🙂
These last-minute, tasty palmiers sound and look like they were a hit! They look addicting like you could just pop them into your mouth and in no time, they’re gone!
Sounds like it was a lovely get-together. Weekend’s just around the corner…have a great one. 🙂
delicious to snack looks wonderful
Oh how I wish I was at that party… lucky foodies!
The palmiers sound amazing!! I think I would have eaten the entire batch.
Hmmm… sounds like I missed a wonderful party. Your palmiers look super delicious! Nutella and orange…what a great combination and I won’t be able to stop eating these for sure!
I must have these! Nutella always calls to be, but I love the orange mixed in.
Jean: the combination of chocolate and orange is terrific!
(BTW: gr8 to c u on Greg’s post list: can’t wait to read yours)
Likewise, Amelia. Greg just released the first post. We’re in great company. 🙂