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Recipe 1 of the Christmas Cookies Around the World Holiday Project for Kids: Easy French Palmiers Recipe
Teaching your kids about different countries can be hard because they are so far away, and you can’t just pop over there to visit them. However there are fun ways to introduce kids to cultures around the world without passport, and baking is one of them! By baking different kinds of cookies like this kid-friendly French Palmiers recipe, you can introduce your kids to different cultures. Baking cookies and learning about new traditions is a great way to learn about other places around the world in an easy way that kids can understand.
This post is the first in a series of Christmas Cookies Around the World. Join us as as we take a tour around the world and learn about popular Christmas cookie recipes. Along the way we’ll also learn about Christmas traditions in different countries through book recommendations and videos.
The Christmas Cookies Around the World series is a fun way to introduce children to:
- World geography
- Holiday traditions
- Popular cookies from various cultures and parts of the world
This series is also designed to encourage togetherness through baking and kindness through sharing with others. In addition to this packet, there is a full series of additional articles with tips and baking videos available here on the Christmas Cookies Around the World main page.
Brief History of French Palmiers
Palmier is the French word for palm tree. The cookie gets its name due to its resemblance of a palm leaf. Many believe the cookie was invented at the beginning of the 20th century in France, but the exact creator is unknown. There are many variations to the basic recipe, and the simple ingredients and steps make it a perfect cookie to make with kids during the holidays.
Fun Facts About Christmas Traditions in France
- Merry Christmas in French is Joyeux Noël
- In the North East of France, Christmas celebrations begin on the 6 December – also known as Saint Nicholas’ Day.
- Christmas carols and greeting cards are two essential parts of Christmas for many of us. Not so for the French!
- Gifts are typically exchanged on Christmas Eve.
- Christmas crackers aren’t pulled at French Christmas meals.
- Many French people visit a circus during the Christmas period.
- The French often hang mistletoe above the doors in their homes to bring good fortune for the coming year.
Videos About Christmas In France
Quick video about French Christmas traditions for young kids
Meet Sam and learn about the unique Christmas traditions that he celebrates in France!
Learn all about how Christmas is celebrated in France!
Additional Resources for Teaching Children About France
Learn more about France, one of the most visited countries in the world, and teach your kids all about French food, language, and more in this video!
General Facts About France for Kids
This video gives your kids a brief history about France and some quick and fun facts about the country.
Books about France
In the French Kitchen with Kids by Mardi Michels
In the French Kitchen with Kids can help your kids start learning more about cooking French cuisine.
France (Follow Me Around) by Wiley Blevins
With the help of two French children, France (Follow Me Around) will help show your kids around France.
Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
Madeline’s Christmas tells the story of a French Chrismtas as told by Madeline.
Christmas in France by Jack Manning
Christmas in France will help your kids explore the French Christmas traditions.
French Palmiers Recipe
French Palmiers may look fancy, but this short video will show you just how easy they are to make!
French Palmiers
There are many variations to the basic Palmiers recipe, and the simple ingredients and steps make it a perfect cookie to make with kids during the holidays.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 15 Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry or homemade if you prefer
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Thaw puff pastry in refrigerator overnight. It needs to be pliable but cool.
Step 2: Roll dough just enough to even out the seams. If using homemade, roll to a square about ¼ inch thick.
Step 3: Sprinkle most of the sugar and cinnamon over the dough. Use rolling pin to lightly press the sugar and cinnamon into the dough.
Step 4: Fold the left and right 1/6 of the dough inward. Sprinkle remaining sugar and cinnamon over the dough and lightly roll to press into the dough.
Step 5: Fold the left and right inward again like a book. This creates a long flat length of dough that has 6 layers.
Step 6: Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. This makes it easier to cut and helps them puff better in the oven.
Step 7: Preheat oven to 425 F.
Step 8: Use a sharp knife to slice the log into ½ inch cookies.
Step 9: Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet, cut side up. Space them a few inches apart. They will puff up and out. Place unbaked cookies in fridge between batches to keep cool.
Step 10: Bake for 15-20 minutes until dark golden. If sugar on the bottom is getting too dark turn them over or move to a higher rack and reduce heat to 375 F.
Cool and eat. Best when eaten the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container for several days. They will gradually lose crispness.
Notes
VARIATIONS
Option 1: Make a cream cheese spread of 4oz. cream cheese and 2 Tbsp of sugar. Spread evenly over the dough. Then sprinkle cinnamon. Fold as described above. (Eat these the same day)
Option 2: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips and granulated sugar over dough and press lightly with rolling pin.
Keyword Christmas Cookies, Cookies, French Cookies, French Palmiers, Palmiers
Get Your FREE Christmas Cookies Around the World Taste Test Recording Sheet
Use the taste test recording sheet to have kids record information about the cookie(s) they tasted and rate how well they liked the cookies. Individual pages can be compiled into a taste test booklet for all the cookies you try in the series, or you can choose to have kids record only their favorite cookie if you prefer.
Save paper by printing two or four to a page if preferred.
Get the entire 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Around the World project
For those interested in expanding the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Around the World project into a class or family project we’ve created a 50+ page activity guide to make it super easy for you.
Inside you’ll find:
- Quick Reference List of Cookies and Countries
- Generic Cookie Taste Test Recording Sheet
- Cookie Taste Test Recording Table
- Class Graphing Header and Voting Cards
- Christmas Cookies Around the World Passport (three versions)
- Taste Test Journal
- Cookie Recipe Cookbook
- Editable Cookie Recipe Page to add in additional family and multi-cultural options
- Gift Tags
- Notecards
- My Family’s Favorite Cookie Recipe (two versions)
- Editable Parent Letter (two versions)
- Ingredient List by Cookie
The project is designed for use in the classroom, at home, or in community programs. Suggestions and modifications for each setting are included in the resource.
Get your Christmas Cookies Around the World Project
This project is also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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