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Pain Au Chocolat Recipe: A Delicious French Pastry


Easy French Pain au Chocolat Recipe
Easy French Pain au Chocolat Recipe from www.thespruceeats.com

Introduction

Pain au chocolat, also known as chocolate croissant, is a classic French pastry that has become popular all around the world. It is a delicious combination of flaky croissant dough and a rich chocolate filling, perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Making pain au chocolat from scratch might seem intimidating, but with the right ingredients and instructions, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making pain au chocolat at home, step by step.

Ingredients

Making pain au chocolat requires a few basic ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. Here's what you'll need:
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature

Instructions

Making pain au chocolat is a multi-step process that requires some patience and attention to detail. But don't worry, we'll guide you through it:

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add the warm milk and melted butter, and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Roll and Fold the Dough

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Spread the room temperature butter over two-thirds of the dough, leaving the other third uncovered. Fold the uncovered third over the buttered section, then fold the remaining buttered third over that. Turn the dough 90 degrees and repeat the rolling and folding process twice more, each time turning the dough 90 degrees before rolling it out.

Step 3: Add the Chocolate

Roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Cut the dough into rectangles about 3 inches wide and 6 inches long. Place a few pieces of chopped chocolate in the center of each rectangle. Fold the edges of the dough over the chocolate and press them together to seal. Place the pain au chocolat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, seam side down.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Cover the pain au chocolat with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.

Step 5: Bake the Pain au Chocolat

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the pain au chocolat with beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffy. Let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

While pain au chocolat is not the healthiest breakfast option, it can be a delicious treat once in a while. Here's the approximate nutrition information for one pain au chocolat:
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg
  • Sodium: 440mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Total Sugars: 9g
  • Protein: 7g

Conclusion

Making pain au chocolat from scratch is a fun and rewarding experience that will impress your family and friends. With the right ingredients and instructions, you can make delicious and flaky pain au chocolat at home. Just remember to take your time and enjoy the process. Bon appétit!

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