Vegan Pain au Chocolat

Vegan Pain au Chocolat is a delightful French pastry that combines flaky, buttery dough with rich dark chocolate, offering a perfect treat for any time of day. This plant-based version maintains the classic taste and texture while being entirely free from animal products.

Ingredients

• all-purpose flour - 250 grams
• active dry yeast - 7 grams
• granulated sugar - 30 grams
• salt - 5 grams
• plant-based butter (cold) - 150 grams
• almond milk (warm) - 120 ml
• dark chocolate (vegan) - 100 grams
• maple syrup - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. In a bowl, combine warm almond milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture.
3. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for about 5 minutes until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
4. While the dough is rising, prepare the butter block: place cold plant-based butter between two sheets of parchment paper and pound it into a flat rectangle about 1cm thick. Refrigerate until firm.
5. Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Place the chilled butter block in the center and fold the dough over the butter, sealing the edges.
6. Roll the dough out into a long rectangle, then fold it into thirds like a letter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
7. Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, refrigerating for 30 minutes each time.
8. After the final fold, roll out the dough to about 0.5cm thick. Cut into rectangles (about 10x15cm).
9. Place a piece of dark chocolate at one end of each rectangle, then roll it up tightly, sealing the edge.
10. Place the rolled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with maple syrup and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
11. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
12. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 5 g
• Carbs: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.1 L

Health Benefits

• Contains plant-based ingredients that are lower in saturated fat compared to traditional pastries.
• Rich in antioxidants due to the dark chocolate, which can support heart health.

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