Umm, you had to know this was coming. The minute I think about croissants, my mind floats to chocolate croissants next. I restrained myself and shared plain croissants with you first, but these babies? They're here to make sure your New Year's resolution didn't include giving up things that taste delicious. Because that would be dumb. Life is short! Eat the things that make you smile (but in moderation...like small servings, ya know?).
Another reason these chocolate-filled love bites are here? I'm kicking of 30 days of chocolate for Valentine's Day! You guys know me: Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. I loved it when I was single, I loved it when I wasn't. I'm so happy that my cookbook is slated for a just-before-Valentine's Day release, because it's what I've always wanted. We're going to have one big chocolatey build-up to the sweetest day of the year. Are you ready?
I'm taking requests for 30 days of chocolate, because I want to know what you and your love bug want. If I can help make Valentine's Day even chocolatier for you, well, that would just make me happier than a kid in a candy store. Just leave me a comment, or email me. I'll be waiting with my wooden spoon and chocolate bar for you!
If you remember from my original small batch of croissants recipe, this recipe is divided up into 3 days of easy steps. I don't want you to be overwhelmed by French pastry. You should have a cool and aloof approach to the dough, just like a real French pastry chef. French looks so good on you.
On the first day, just wake up the yeast. Let it mingle with the flour overnight. Easy. On the second day, we're going to incorporate the butter layer. It can be intimidating, but just go slow and let the dough rest for 2 hours in between each roll session. Day two is your hardest day, really. On day three, just roll, rise, and bake! The rolls above are awaiting their milk bath before their rise. The rolls below are awaiting my mouth hole.
Anyone want to lick the pan?
If chocolate isn't your thing (omg are you a real live alien living among us?), don't miss my small batch of croissants recipe, sans chocolate ;)
Chocolate Croissants
These chocolate croissants are perfect for breakfast and brunch.
Ingredients
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon 2% milk, divided use
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour, divided use
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons high-quality butter (European style)
- 1 large egg yolk, beaten
- ⅓ cup chocolate chunks
Instructions
- DAY ONE:
- Heat ½ cup of the milk to 115-degrees Fahrenheit, and stir in the yeast until dissolved. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the flour. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sugar, remaining 1 cup + 1 tablespoon of the flour, and salt. Add the foamy yeast to the mixture, and knead until smooth with a wooden spoon, about 3-4 minutes. The dough will be sticky, but it will stick to itself and not the edges of the bowl. Refrigerate overnight.
- DAY TWO:
- Let the butter come to room temperature.
- Remove the dough from the fridge (it should have risen some and seem bubbly). Flour a surface, and roll the dough out into a 6 x 10" rectangle. The 6" side should be closest to you.
- Spread all 6 tablespoons of the butter evenly over the rectangle, but leave about 1cm of a border on all edges.
- Fold the dough like a letter: fold the top one-third to the middle. Fold the bottom third up to the middle also. Roll the dough back into a 6 x 10" rectangle. Cover and refrigerate the rectangle of dough for 2 hours.
- Remove the dough from the fridge after 2 hours, fold it like a letter again, and then roll back out to a 6 x 10" rectangle. Place it back in the fridge for 2 hours.
- Repeat this two more times for a total of 4 folds, refrigerating for 2 hours between each fold and roll. After the last roll out, refrigerate the dough overnight.
- DAY THREE:
- Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll it on a floured surface into a 6" x 12" rectangle.
- Using a knife, cut the rectangle into 4 evenly-sized smaller rectangles.
- On one side of each rectangle, place a heaping tablespoon of chocolate chunks.
- Staring on the short edge of the rectangle, roll each into a roll shape, like shown in the photo above. Tuck the chocolate in as you go.
- Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with a nonstick mat or parchment paper, and brush with the remaining tablespoon of milk.
- Let the rolls rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. If your kitchen is cold, let them rise for longer--they really need to double in size before baking.
- Preheat the oven to 400-degrees.
- Brush the egg yolk generously over the croissants. Be sure to get it in the nooks and crannies of the dough.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Check on the rolls, and shield them with foil if the edges threaten to burn. Bake for another 2 minutes if the rolls aren't very golden brown.
- Let cool 15 minutes, and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 293Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 303mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 5g
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking says
Oh my goodness!! Chocolate croissants were my family's favorite thing ever on our vacations to France. We literally ate them every day! But the center was never as gooey and delicious as yours... I need that whole tray in my house right now. :) Pinned!
Stephanie @ a magpie in the sky says
30 days of chocolate yay! Eeek I think I'm too afraid of laminating dough!
Lindsay says
I'm a from scratch baker with a killer brownie recipe in my archives, but chocolate croissants? Trader Joe's took care of that for me, and they're waiting in my freezer. Now that I have three little girls, a three day process just cannot be guaranteed!
Stephanie @ Long Distance Baking says
This was what I was waaaiiittttinnggg foooorrrrr (sing song voice). I oddly had my first ever chocolate croissant at the Portland airport and even there it was to die for. I can only imagine how much better a homemade one would be!
Lenna says
In my history of cooking, I never got result as recipes state. But this, I made it. :D You have no idea how much this mean to me... :D I can't stop smiling and proud of myself Hahahhaha... thank you so much... your recipe make Pain au Chocolat easy to make as brownie.
Hug from Netherlans.
Christina Lane says
I'm so glad, Lenna! You just made my day :D
Cindy M says
Question: when you say to place the chocolate chunks on half the rectangle, could you be more specific? LIke, do you put it on the side in front of you (making it easier to roll) or to the left/right, which was my first and second thought, but made thinking of rolling them up a bit lumpy. Sorry to be so stupid, it's just that baking isn't my strongest skill set (to say the least) but I really want to try this! Thanks!
Mickey Capo says
One of my favorite things in the world - Pain Au Chocolat , so glad I found someone I trust that makes them. Also like that its a small portion :) These are on my list!
Thanks,
Mickey
Shirlsaw63 says
I know I am late getting on this wagon but what do you recommend as far as a chocolate choice for these??
Christina Lane says
Anything you like! I used semisweet :)
Nan says
I've been really afraid of making croissants but when I found this small batch recipe I decided to give it a try. They turned out pretty good, the flavor was awesome (i mean, there's chocolate and butter..whats not to like?)and they looked very cute, but I did have one problem. Leaving the dough in the fridge for so long between turns caused the butter to harden too much so that when I went to roll it out it broke into little pieces. I still got a fair few layers since the butter was still scattered throughout the dough but how could I prevent this? Maybe leave the dough in the fridge for less time between turns?
Juliana Fendez says
Wonderful post, so heart felt and honest! PS. Love the easy recipe. Regards Adriana