A chocolate croissant, or “pain au chocolat,” is a delightful French pastry with layers of buttery dough and rich chocolate. Although it takes time, making chocolate croissants from scratch is worth it! Here’s a simplified recipe that gives you delicious, flaky chocolate croissants at home.

Ingredients:

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

For the Dough:

• 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 packet (2 and 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold (for laminating the dough)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

For the Filling:

• 4 ounces dark chocolate, cut into thin sticks

Instructions:

Follow these steps to make your own chocolate croissants:

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
2. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth. Shape it into a ball, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Prepare the Butter Block: While the dough chills, shape the cold butter into a square block. Place it between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Place the butter back in the fridge to keep it cold.
4. Laminate the Dough: Roll the chilled dough into a rectangle slightly larger than the butter block. Place the butter block in the center, fold the dough over it like an envelope, and roll it out gently. Fold the dough into thirds, like folding a letter, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat this process of rolling and folding 2 more times, chilling between each turn.
5. Shape the Croissants: After the final fold, roll the dough out to a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into small rectangles, each about 4x6 inches. Place a piece of chocolate near one end of each rectangle, roll it tightly, and place it seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Proof the Croissants: Cover the croissants with a cloth and let them rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or until they have doubled in size.
7. Apply the Egg Wash: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Beat the egg in a small bowl and gently brush it over the croissants for a golden finish.
8. Bake the Croissants: Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the croissants are golden and flaky. Let them cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy Your Chocolate Croissants!

Your homemade chocolate croissants are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or as a sweet breakfast treat. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but you can also store leftovers and reheat them in the oven to restore the crispiness.