Description
This Easy Homemade Chocolate Croissants Recipe offers flaky, buttery pastries filled with rich dark chocolate. Perfect for beginners and customizable for various dietary needs, these croissants bring bakery-quality indulgence to your home baking.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 3 1/2 cups (440 g)
- Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup (50 g)
- Active dry yeast: 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet)
- Salt: 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Whole milk: 1 cup (240 ml), warmed slightly
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (225 g), cold and divided (some for dough, some for lamination)
Filling and Finishing
- High-quality dark chocolate bars or chips: 6 ounces (170 g)
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water): for brushing
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Warm the milk slightly and add it along with softened butter. Knead until smooth and elastic, cover, and let the dough rise until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).
- Laminate the Dough: Roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle. Place a block of cold butter on one side and fold the dough over it. Roll and fold the dough several times, chilling between folds to keep butter firm, creating flaky layers.
- Cut and Fill: Slice the laminated dough into triangles. Place a piece of dark chocolate near the base of each triangle, then roll them tightly toward the tip, forming crescent shapes.
- Proof the Croissants: Place the rolled croissants on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let them proof at room temperature until puffed up but not over-risen (about 1-2 hours).
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Brush croissants with egg wash for shine. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until crisp, flaky, and golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
Notes
- Keep butter cold during lamination for flaky layers.
- Resting the dough between folds preserves layer distinctness.
- Use good quality chocolate for best melting and flavor.
- Roll croissants tightly to prevent filling leakage.
- Egg wash before baking gives a professional golden shine.
- Dough can be prepared and shaped ahead, refrigerated overnight for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Chocolate croissants, homemade croissants, flaky pastries, chocolate pastries, breakfast pastries, laminated dough
