Butter croissants

Butter Croissants: The Fluffy Delight That Will Enchant Your Senses

If you're looking for a quick and simple dessert recipe that will bring a smile to your face, butter croissants are the perfect choice! These fluffy delights, with a soft and aromatic interior, are ideal for both a hearty breakfast and a savory snack. Moreover, the fillings are varied, and each variation adds a personal touch.

The history of croissants takes us back to ancient culinary traditions, where the dough was prepared with patience and love, and each bite was an explosion of flavors. The butter croissants we will prepare today are a modern reinterpretation of this classic, using a simplified technique that will help you achieve an amazing result without too much effort.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20-30 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes
Number of servings: 8 croissants

Ingredients:

- 370 g flour (preferably type 00 for a finer dough)
- 150 g telemea cheese (or another preferred type of cheese, such as cottage cheese or feta)
- 230 ml milk (heated, but not hot)
- 40 g butter (melted, plus extra for greasing)
- 100 ml oil (sunflower or olive)
- 1 egg (for a nice appearance when baked)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon dry yeast
- 1 pinch of salt
- Poppy seeds or sesame (for decoration)

Step by Step:

1. Preparing the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and dry yeast. It is important to use fresh yeast to achieve a fluffy dough. If you're curious, you can do an activity test of the yeast: add a tablespoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of warm water; if bubbles form, the yeast is active.

2. Adding Wet Ingredients:
Gradually pour the warm milk over the flour mixture. Then add the oil, egg white, and salt. Mix with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are well incorporated. The dough will be soft at first.

3. Kneading the Dough:
Gradually add a little flour (about 3 tablespoons) until the dough becomes non-sticky. Place the dough on a floured work surface and knead for a few minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.

4. Resting the Dough:
Place the dough in a bowl greased with a little oil and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, until it doubles in volume.

5. Shaping the Croissants:
After the dough has risen, take it out of the bowl and form a log that you divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and roll each ball into a thin sheet.

6. Adding the Butter:
Brush each sheet with melted butter and stack them on top of each other (sheet, butter, sheet, butter, etc.). This will add delicious layers that will turn into puff pastry when baked. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.

7. Cutting and Filling:
Roll out the dough into a large round sheet and cut it into triangles. You can fill the croissants with telemea cheese, jam, chocolate, or mushrooms, depending on your preferences. Fold the triangles into a crescent shape and make sure the tip is tucked under the body of the croissant to prevent it from unfolding during baking.

8. Preparing for Baking:
Brush the croissants with a diluted egg yolk for a golden and shiny crust. Sprinkle poppy seeds or sesame on top for an attractive appearance.

9. Baking:
Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rest for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Bake the croissants for 20-30 minutes, until they are golden and fluffy.

10. Serving:
Once baked, let them cool slightly before enjoying. These croissants are delicious alongside a cup of coffee or tea, but they can also be a perfect accompaniment to a festive meal.

Tips and Variations:
- You can experiment with various fillings, such as caramelized apples for a dessert or mushrooms and cheese for a savory snack.
- If you prefer a stronger flavor, add spices like cumin or oregano to the dough.
- For a healthier version, you can replace part of the flour with whole wheat flour.

Nutritional Information:
Each croissant contains approximately 250 calories, but this may vary depending on the filling. Croissants with telemea cheese provide a source of protein and calcium, and adding vegetables can increase the fiber content.

Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use other types of cheese? Absolutely! Experiment with goat cheese or mozzarella for different flavors.
- How can I keep the croissants fresh? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you don't consume all the croissants, you can freeze them to enjoy later.

Butter croissants are truly a versatile and flavorful recipe that is worth trying! Try this recipe and let yourself be carried away by the delicious aroma of these fluffy delights!