Mommy Craves: Easy Pain au Chocolat

Photo by Simon A. Eugster.

Pssst. You, over there. Huddled behind the baskets of unfolded laundry, hiding from your children and hoping for a moment of peace and quiet. Yeah, you! Come over here - I've got something delicious and easy to make. C'mon, it'll make you feel better!


Most days, over at my blog The Kid Can Cook, you'll find me in my kitchen with my favorite sous chef - my 2 1/2 year old son, X. But sometimes I just like to cook by myself. For myself. Cooking for me is a creative outlet with very tasty results. And today, Mommy wants chocolate!


Today I bring you one of my favorite French pastries, simplified.


Pain au Chocolat Without the Pain


Pain au chocolat (pronounced like pan not pain), or a chocolate croissant, was my favorite part of breakfast when I traveled in France. That and a cup of espresso or café au lait and I was set for the day's adventure. But I would never seriously consider making these at home....or would I?
While these are by no means traditional, they are a quick and easy twist on this classic French pastry.


Ingredients
1 bar of good quality chocolate
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed per manufacturer's instructions
1 egg



Heat your oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the chocolate from its wrapper and after you've sampled a little bit, cut or break it into 4 or 6 pieces. Depending on your mood, you could make these as regular-sized pastries or as little bite-sized indulgences. Cut the puff pastry sheet in half and then cut into either 4 or 6 pieces and place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Place one piece of chocolate in the center of each puff pastry square and fold pastry over. Beat one egg well and brush each "croissant" with the egg wash.
Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes depending on the size of your petits pains.


C'est merveilleuse, n'est-ce-pas?