Easy French Pain au Chocolat

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water for 5 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Add the bread flour, milk, sugar, melted butter , and salt to the dissolved yeast and water, and mix the dough on medium speed for about 2 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of extra flour at a time, until the dough is just firm enough to shape without sticking.

4. Step 4

   Form dough into a ball and loosely cover it with plastic wrap. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

5. Step 5

   Roll the dough into a 10- x 15-inch rectangle.

6. Step 6

   Cover it loosely and allow it to rise for 40 minutes.

7. Step 7

   Brush the rectangle with the softened butter and then fold the dough into thirds, like a letter.

8. Step 8

   Roll the long, thin rectangle back into the original 10 x 15-inch shape.

9. Step 9

   Fold the dough into thirds, again, and then cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

10. Step 10

    Repeat this process one more time.

11. Step 11

    Using a sharp knife, cut the dough crosswise into 12 rectangles.

12. Step 12

    Arrange 2 teaspoons of chopped chocolate across one of the short ends of the rectangle.

13. Step 13

    Fold that third of the dough over the chocolate, toward the center.

14. Step 14

    Repeat the process on the opposite side of the dough, folding it over and tucking the end under to create a cylindrical shape.

15. Step 15

    Arrange each finished pain au chocolat on a lightly greased baking sheet with at least 1 1/2 inches between each pastry.

16. Step 16

    Cover them loosely with plastic wrap and allow them to rise until almost doubled in size, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

17. Step 17

    Preheat the oven to 400 F. Whisk the egg and 2 tablespoons milk together to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash across the surface of each pastry.

18. Step 18

    Bake the pain au chocolat for 12 to 14 minutes, until they are puffed and golden brown.