Recipe: The perfect at home Chocolate Almond Croissant
Is there anything more heavenly than a freshly baked chocolate almond croissant? This perfect pastry combines flaky layers, rich chocolate, and nutty almond filling to create a treat that’s as indulgent as it is comforting. While it may seem daunting to recreate this bakery staple at home, with a little patience and the right techniques, you can bake croissants that rival those from your favourite café, and yes, we’re aware we’re giving away our secrets!
Let's get down to the recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 500 grams of all-purpose flour
- 10 grams of salt
- 50 grams of granulated sugar
- 10 grams of instant yeast
- 300 ml of cold water
- 250 grams of unsalted butter (for laminating)
For the Almond Filling:
- 200 grams of ground almonds
- 200 grams of powdered sugar
- 100 grams of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract (optional)
For the Chocolate:
- 100 grams of good-quality dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
- Extras:
- 1 beaten egg for egg wash
- Sliced almonds and powdered sugar for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add cold water while mixing at low speed until the dough comes together. Knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a covered bowl and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight. This slow rise develops flavour and makes the dough easier to work with.
2. Laminating the Dough:
Next day, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle. Place the slab of butter in the middle and fold the dough over it, completely encasing the butter.
Roll out the dough into a long rectangle, then fold it into thirds. This is your first fold. Rotate the dough, roll it out again, and fold it into thirds. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes. Repeat this process twice more, chilling the dough between each set of folds.
3. Making the Almond Filling:
Mix ground almonds, powdered sugar, butter, egg, and almond extract in a bowl until combined into a smooth paste. Set aside.
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4. Shaping the Croissants:
Roll the laminated dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into triangles with a base of about 5 inches.
Place a small spoonful of almond filling at the base of each triangle and a few pieces of chocolate on top.
Roll up the triangles from the base to the tip to form croissants. Curve them slightly into crescents.
5. Proofing and Baking:
Place the shaped croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Brush the croissants with beaten egg, sprinkle with sliced almonds, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and puffed.
Remove from the oven and dust with powdered sugar.
Tips for Enjoying Your Bottomless Brunch
Voilà! You’ve just created stunning Chocolate Almond Croissants that are sure to impress. Perfect for a leisurely breakfast or as a sweet treat throughout the day, these croissants bring a touch of French bakery flair to your table. If you find yourself short on time or prefer to leave it to the pros, head over to any Darling Group Café and indulge in one of our expertly crafted chocolate almond croissants. Enjoy the rich, buttery, and chocolatey goodness with none of the work! Bon appétit!
