It sounds like you’re looking for a recipe for fragrant Italian-style croissants. While croissants are traditionally French, Italian pastries often have their unique twists. Here’s a recipe for a croissant-like Italian pastry called “Cornetto” which is a popular breakfast item in Italy:
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
For Filling and Topping (Optional):
- Fruit jam or Nutella
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- Activate the Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth.
- Incorporate Butter: Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Place thin slices of cold butter on two-thirds of the dough. Fold the unbuttered third over the middle third, then fold the remaining third over the top. This creates layers. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Repeat the Folding: Roll out the dough again and fold it into thirds. Repeat this process two more times, chilling the dough between each fold.
- Shape the Cornetti: Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Cut triangles from the dough and roll them up, starting from the wide end. Place the shaped cornetti on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Proofing: Allow the shaped pastries to proof for about 1-2 hours, or until they have doubled in size.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Bake the cornetti in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and flaky.
- Optional: Once cooled, you can fill the cornetti with your favorite jam or Nutella. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Enjoy your fragrant Italian-style croissants, or cornetti!
