Fluffy croissants with jam or with nuts and cocoa.

Fluffy croissants with jam or walnut and cocoa

Sometimes, the simplest pleasures in life are the ones that bring us the most joy. These fluffy croissants, filled with jam or walnut and cocoa, are a true culinary wonder that will delight your taste buds. Whether you prepare them for a special breakfast, a snack during the day, or as a dessert at a family meal, these croissants are perfect for any occasion. Here’s how you can make them step by step, with a few tricks and useful tips to achieve an extraordinary result!

Preparation time:
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Rising time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Baking time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of servings: 16 croissants

Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 550-600 grams of flour (preferably type 000, for a fine texture)
- 100 grams of sugar
- 200 ml of milk (at room temperature)
- 60 grams of butter (melted)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cube of fresh yeast (25 grams)
- Grated zest of one lemon and one orange
- For the filling:
- 100 grams of ground walnuts
- 50 grams of sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 pinch of cinnamon
- A few tablespoons of hot milk (to adjust the consistency)
- Or quince jam (or your favorite jam)
- For brushing:
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 5-6 tablespoons of milk (for glazing)

The history of croissants
Croissants have a long history, being a popular choice in kitchens around the world. They are often associated with festive moments, being part of holiday meals, but can also be a common sweet treat every day. Each culture has its own version of croissants, but they all share the fluffy texture and various fillings that can be adapted to everyone’s taste.

Preparing the dough
1. Activating the yeast: In a bowl, add 100 ml of warm milk, one tablespoon of sugar, and the grated lemon and orange zest. Mix well and add the fresh yeast. Let the mixture sit covered for 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy. This is the yeast activation stage, essential for obtaining fluffy croissants.

2. Combining the ingredients: In another bowl, place the remaining milk, melted butter, and sugar. Heat on low until the sugar completely dissolves. Let the mixture cool slightly, then add it to the bowl with the activated yeast.

3. Kneading the dough: Add the eggs and start gradually incorporating the flour mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth, elastic, and non-sticky. This process may take about 10 minutes. A trick to check if the dough is ready is to stretch it gently – if it stretches without tearing, it’s perfect.

4. Rising the dough: Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour and a half, or until it doubles in volume. This stage is crucial for obtaining fluffy and airy croissants.

Preparing the filling
1. Walnut filling: In a bowl, mix the ground walnuts with sugar, cocoa, and a pinch of cinnamon. Gradually add hot milk until you achieve a suitable consistency for the filling – not too liquid, but not too hard, so that it can be easily spread.

2. Jam alternative: If you prefer jam, choose quince or any favorite jam, so that each corner of the croissant will be full of flavor.

Shaping the croissants
1. Dividing and rolling out the dough: After the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts. Use a rolling pin to roll each part into a round sheet about 0.5 cm thick.

2. Slicing: Cut each sheet into 8 triangles. On the wide base of each triangle, place a teaspoon of filling (either walnut or jam).

3. Rolling the croissants: Start rolling each triangle from the wide base towards the tip, forming the croissants. Make sure the roll is tight so they don’t unroll during baking.

4. Placing on the tray: Place the croissants on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a towel and let them rise for another 15-20 minutes.

Baking
1. Preparing for baking: Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of milk and brush the croissants with this mixture.

2. Baking: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the croissants for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden and fluffy.

3. Final glazing: After removing them from the oven, brush the croissants with honey diluted in 5-6 tablespoons of milk, then leave them in the oven for another minute to caramelize slightly.

Serving
Fluffy croissants are delicious warm, but they can also be served at room temperature. You can sprinkle them with powdered sugar for an elegant look, or enjoy them plain alongside a cup of tea or coffee. Whether you choose the jam filling or the walnut and cocoa one, each bite will bring a smile to your face.

Tips and variations
- You can also add some raisins or chocolate pieces to the filling for an even richer flavor.
- If you want a vegan version, you can replace the eggs with flaxseeds and the butter with vegetable margarine.
- These croissants can be frozen after they have completely cooled. They will be handy when you crave something sweet quickly.

Frequently asked questions
1. Why don’t my croissants rise? – Make sure the yeast is fresh and that the dough had enough time to rise in a warm place.
2. Can I use whole wheat flour? – Yes, but the croissants will have a denser texture. You can try mixing whole wheat flour with white flour for a more balanced result.
3. How do I know when they are baked? – Croissants are done when they are golden and sound hollow when you tap them lightly on the bottom.

These fluffy croissants with jam or walnut and cocoa are a perfect choice for anyone looking to bring a little flavor into their everyday life. Don’t wait any longer, get your appetite to work and enjoy this delicious recipe!