Easy French Pain au Chocolat
Pain au chocolat is a delightful pastry, easily made at home for a fresh-baked treat.
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Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400 F.
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Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water for 5 minutes. Combine with bread flour, milk, sugar, melted butter, and salt; mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if dough is too sticky, until firm.
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Form the dough into a ball, cover, and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
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Roll dough into a 10x15-inch rectangle, cover, and let rise for 40 minutes.
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Brush the rectangle with softened butter, then fold into thirds like a letter.
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Roll the dough back into a 10x15-inch rectangle.
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Fold the dough into thirds again, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
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Repeat the rolling, folding, and refrigeration process once more.
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Cut the dough crosswise into 12 rectangles. Place 2 teaspoons of chopped chocolate across one short end of each.
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Fold one-third of the dough over the chocolate, then fold the opposite side over, tucking the end to form a cylindrical shape.
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Arrange pastries on a lightly greased baking sheet with 1.5 inches between each. Cover and allow to rise until nearly doubled (45-60 minutes).
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Prepare an egg wash by whisking egg and 2 tablespoons milk, then brush onto each pastry.
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Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until puffed and golden brown.