"The windows are full of neatly stacked palmiers and pain au chocolat and napoleons and strawberry tarts." --from Bread Alone
Ever since reading Judith Ryan Hendricks' wonderful novel, Bread Alone (see link below), I've been intrigued by the idea of making pain au chocolat. It certainly seems easy enough. Essentially, it's a rectangle of puff pastry rolled around a piece of dark chocolate and baked until it is puffed and golden, and the chocolate is melted and gooey. How tough can that be? Somehow though, I never got around to it, so when I spied a box of 4 frozen chocolate croissants at Trader Joe's I owed it myself to give these a try. Forget trying to make them yourself, these are sensational! I occasionally treat us to the French croissants and morning buns offered by Williams-Sonoma (that are like a culinary trip to Paris in your own kitchen), so wasn't expecting these to be that good. They are! And nothing could be simpler. You let them rise overnight, bake them in the morning, and prepare to start your day with a smile on your face.
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| Here is the box to look for the next time you visit Trader Joe's. |
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| Out of the box they look like nothing special, but just wait until morning! |
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| Puffed and beautiful is what will greet you after a night of raising. |
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| Here's a peek inside. Okay, for my tastes it could have had a bit more chocolate, but I'm not complaining, these are delicious. |
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Thumbs up! Highly Recommended.
Thanks, Trader Joe's!
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6 comments:
This looks like something we would LOVE! I need to schedule a trip to TJ's.
I adore TJ's Croissants... They taste just like the ones from Williams Sonoma, and I wouldn't be surprised if they're made by the same company...only Trader Joe's are so much less expensive. Thanks for posting! I have some in my freezer now. I'll take them out for breakfast!
Boo Hoo! we don't live near a Trader Joe's! I've been known to shop there with a cooler in the back of the car to get all my goodies safely home! My favorite vinegar is a TJ product:Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar. Try it on butter lettuce and avocados.... so good.
Janet, I have not tried W-S chocolate croissants, but having heard what you had to say I never will. Trader Joe's variety are just so reasonable and amazing. What else have you tried? Do they have butter croissants that are as good as W-S? I currently have both the butter croissants and morning buns from W-S in the freezer that, thankfully, weren't a casualty when we lost our power.
Thanks for the tip on the vinegar, Tracy. I actually have quite a collection, but have never tried this one. Get yourself a bigger cooler and do make the TJ trek. They also have a Caramelized Onion Ham and Gruyere tart that is excellent as well, so stock up!
My daughter served those last year for mothers day. They were perfect. Perfect for a quick brunch before we went to church.
Yep, me again,
I spied this in your sidebar and just had to see.
We have recently gained a much needed Trader Joe's in our area and let me tell you Pattie, I love every single thing so far. However, I messed up with these croissants because I left them in the refrigerator for two days before baking them. Such a no no. I am pleased to see I should give them another try though. Thanks, Pattie!
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