Homemade Chocolate Croissants Recipe

Introduction

Homemade chocolate croissants are a delightful treat that combine flaky, buttery layers with rich, melting chocolate. Making them from scratch may seem daunting, but with a bit of patience, you can enjoy fresh, warm pastries straight from your oven.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) cold whole milk
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for butter layer)
• 16 chocolate batons or 8 oz high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, cut into bars
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp milk
• Optional: Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Slowly add cold milk and knead using a dough hook for about 5 minutes until the dough is soft but slightly tacky. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: For the butter layer, beat softened butter with flour until smooth. Shape the mixture into a 7×10-inch rectangle and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Step 3: Roll out the dough into a 14×10-inch rectangle. Place the chilled butter layer in the center, then fold the dough over it to fully encase the butter. Seal the edges tightly.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough into a 10×20-inch rectangle and fold it lengthwise into thirds. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat this rolling and folding two more times for a total of three turns.
5. Step 5: After the final fold, refrigerate the dough for 4 hours or overnight to allow it to rest and chill.
6. Step 6: Roll out the chilled dough into an 8×20-inch rectangle. Cut into sixteen 2×5-inch rectangles. Gently stretch each piece to about 8 inches long, place a chocolate baton at one end, and roll tightly, sealing seam-side down.
7. Step 7: Arrange the croissants on lined baking sheets. Cover loosely and proof at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for an additional hour.
8. Step 8: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Whisk together the egg and milk to create the egg wash, then brush it over each croissant before baking.

Tips & Variations

• Use high-quality butter and chocolate for the best flavor and flakiness.
• If you don’t have chocolate batons, chocolate chips or chopped bars work well too.
• For a shiny finish, apply the egg wash twice—once before proofing and once right before baking.
• You can dust the croissants with confectioners’ sugar once cooled for an elegant touch.

Storage

Store leftover croissants in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them tightly wrapped for up to 1 month; reheat in a warm oven before serving to refresh their crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough by hand without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand, but it will take more effort and about 10-12 minutes of kneading until the dough becomes soft and slightly tacky.

How do I know when the croissants are ready to bake after proofing?

The croissants should look puffed up and slightly jiggly when you gently shake the baking sheet. This indicates the yeast has activated and they will bake into flaky layers.

Homemade Chocolate Croissants Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 104 reviews

This Homemade Chocolate Croissants recipe guides you through creating flaky, buttery croissants filled with rich semi-sweet chocolate. Using a laminated dough technique, you’ll layer butter inside the dough through multiple folds and chills, resulting in perfectly tender, airy pastries with a golden crust. Ideal for an indulgent breakfast or a special brunch treat, these croissants balance crisp texture with smooth chocolate centers.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (including chilling and proofing time)
• Yield: 16 croissants 1x
• Category: Breakfast Pastry
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) cold whole milk

For the Butter Layer:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

• 16 chocolate batons or 8 oz high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, cut into bars

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp milk

Optional:

• Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Slowly pour in the cold whole milk and knead with a dough hook attachment for about 5 minutes until the dough is soft but slightly tacky. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to relax the dough.
2. Make the Butter Layer: Beat the softened unsalted butter and flour together until smooth. Shape this butter mixture into a 7×10-inch rectangle using parchment paper or plastic wrap, then chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes until firm but pliable.
3. Encasing the Butter: Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface into a 14×10-inch rectangle. Place the chilled butter layer in the center of the dough and fold the dough edges over the butter to fully encase it, sealing the edges tightly to prevent butter leakage.
4. Laminate Dough with Turns: Roll the dough with the butter inside out into a 10×20-inch rectangle. Fold it lengthwise into thirds, like a letter. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Repeat this rolling, folding, and chilling process two more times for a total of three turns to create flaky layers.
5. Final Chill: After the third turn, wrap the dough and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the layers to firm up and the gluten to relax.
6. Shape the Croissants: Roll out the chilled dough into an 8×20-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into sixteen 2×5-inch rectangles. Gently stretch each piece to 8 inches long, place one chocolate baton at the wide end, and roll tightly towards the opposite end, placing the seam side down to seal.
7. Proof the Croissants: Arrange the rolled croissants on lined baking sheets, leaving space between each. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen cloth and let them proof at room temperature for 1 hour. Afterward, refrigerate them for an additional hour to set the shape.
8. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Whisk together one large egg with one tablespoon of milk to create an egg wash. Brush this wash evenly over each croissant to promote a glossy, golden crust when baked.

Notes

• Using cold ingredients and keeping the butter chilled during lamination is key to achieving flaky layers.
• If you don’t have chocolate batons, use high-quality chocolate bars cut into rectangular strips.
• Proofing time can vary depending on room temperature; croissants should nearly double in size and be slightly puffy before baking.
• For an extra touch, lightly dust cooled croissants with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
• Ensure your butter is pliable but not melted when incorporating into the dough to prevent greasy or tough croissants.

Keywords: homemade chocolate croissants, laminated dough, French pastries, chocolate-filled croissants, breakfast recipes, flaky croissants