Chocolate croissants

Chocolate Croissant Recipe: A Delight for Breakfast

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Rising time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 70 minutes
Number of servings: 10 croissants

Who doesn’t love the freshly baked aroma of chocolate croissants? These fluffy delights are perfect for an energizing breakfast or a sweet snack between meals. The origins of these treats are lost in the mists of time, but they have certainly captured many hearts. In this recipe, I will show you how to prepare delicious croissants, filled with Nutella or any other filling you prefer. Let’s get started!

Ingredients

- 400 g flour
- 50 g butter
- 2 cups milk (about 500 ml)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cube of fresh yeast (about 25 g)
- 100 g sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- A pinch of salt
- Nutella or any other chocolate cream, jam, or preferred sweet spread

Necessary utensils

- Large bowl for kneading
- Rising rack
- Baking tray
- Baking paper (optional)
- Rolling pin
- Funnel or spatula for filling the croissants

Step by Step

1. Preparing the yeast:
In a large bowl, add the cube of yeast, the 2 tablespoons of sugar, the warm milk (not hot, to avoid killing the yeast), and 6 tablespoons of flour. Mix the ingredients well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit for 15 minutes. This step is essential for activating the yeast, and the mixture should start to bubble.

2. Kneading the dough:
After 15 minutes, add the remaining flour, one egg, the remaining sugar, salt, and melted butter. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it becomes non-sticky and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.

3. Rising:
Form a ball from the dough and place it in a bowl greased with a little oil. Cover again with a towel and let it rise for 30 minutes, or until it doubles in volume. It is important for the dough to be in a warm place to allow the yeast to work its magic.

4. Shaping the croissants:
Once the dough has risen, divide it into 10 equal parts. Take a piece of dough and, using the rolling pin, roll it into a square shape. Using a knife, make diagonal cuts on the edges, leaving a central area for the filling.

5. Filling the croissants:
In the center of each square, add a tablespoon of Nutella or chocolate cream. Roll the croissant starting from one corner and continuing to the other end. Make sure the edges are well sealed to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.

6. Preparing for the oven:
Place the croissants on a baking tray lined with baking paper or greased with butter, leaving enough space between them to expand. Beat the other egg and mix it with the brown sugar. Moisten the surface of the croissants with this mixture for a golden and delicious crust.

7. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the croissants for 25 minutes or until they are golden and fluffy. The aroma that will fill your kitchen during this time will be irresistible!

8. Cooling and serving:
After baking, let the croissants cool slightly on a rack. They are delicious served warm but also at room temperature. You can sprinkle them with powdered sugar for a festive look!

Tips and Variations

- Ingredients: You can experiment with the fillings of the croissants! Instead of Nutella, try fruit jam, cream cheese, or even melted chocolate. For a savory version, try fillings with cheese or spinach.
- Rising: If you have time, let the dough rise longer for an even fluffier texture. You can let it rise in the fridge overnight.
- Serving: These croissants go wonderfully with a fragrant tea or a latte. They are also excellent with a chocolate sauce on top or a caramel sauce.

Nutritional Benefits

These croissants are a good source of carbohydrates due to the flour, and the butter provides healthy fats. Depending on the filling chosen, they can also add protein and fiber. It is important to consume these treats in moderation, considering their sugar and fat content.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use dry yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast. Replace the cube of fresh yeast with 7 g of dry yeast. Mix it directly with the flour.

2. Can I freeze the croissants?
Absolutely! Baked croissants can be frozen. Make sure to let them cool completely, then wrap them well in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer.

3. How can I make the croissants less sweet?
Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or opt for a less sweet filling, such as fruit jam.

I hope this chocolate croissant recipe quickly becomes one of your favorites! Enjoy cooking and don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings. Bon appétit!