4-Ingredient Chocolate Pastry Braid Recipe (La Tresse Au Chocolat)

In search of a straightforward, indulgent dessert? Then this Pastry Chocolate Bar (often known as La tresse au chocolat) is only for you. To make it, you have to a roll of puff pastry, a bar of chocolate, and hazelnuts. The pastry is braided across the chocolate bar, brushed with an egg wash, lined with crushed hazelnuts, and baked till golden. The outcome? Crispy, golden pastry, with a melty chocolate heart. This pastry chocolate bar is ideal for teatime or an indulgent dessert. Irrespective of the way you get pleasure from it, you’ll come again for extra. Better of all? You solely want 4 elements!

What’s a Chocolate Pastry Braid?

The chocolate pastry braid (often known as La Tresse au Chocolat) is a French pastry that mixes flaky puff pastry with wealthy, melting chocolate. Such a pastry was launched within the early nineteenth century and has been well-liked ever since. Conventional recipes typically use do-it-yourself puff pastry, however nowadays, it’s extra handy to make use of store-bought puff pastry. The hazelnuts on prime add taste and a whole lot of crunch. The flavour and texture are much like that of a chocolate croissant…so it’s a particular crowd-pleaser.

Suggestions

• Use all-butter pastry for finest outcomes. The pastry must be utterly thawed so it’s pliable sufficient to roll out however nonetheless chilly. The perfect is to depart it to thaw in a single day within the fridge as an alternative of leaving it on the kitchen counter at room temperature. If the pastry is simply too heat, it gained’t puff sufficient. To be sure you get a good puff, place the shaped flowers within the fridge for half an hour.
• For extra hazelnut taste, add a hazelnut unfold to the pastry earlier than including the chocolate bar.
• For a pleasant crunch, you’ll be able to sprinkle brown sugar on prime of the pastry after the egg wash. It’s also possible to use different nuts.

How To Retailer Pastry Chocolate Braid

This chocolate pastry is finest served instantly whereas the pastry remains to be flaky. Leftovers may be saved in an hermetic container (at room temperature) for as much as 3 days. Permit the pastry to chill down utterly earlier than storing.

Can I Make Pastry Chocolate Braid Forward of Time?

Sure, you’ll be able to. Assemble the pastry and retailer lined within the fridge. Bake simply earlier than serving.

What Chocolate Do I Use for Pastry Chocolate Braid?

Use a high-quality chocolate bar like Ghirardelli.

Is The Pastry Chocolate Braid Comparable To A Chocolate Croissant?

Sure, it’s! Each are made with laminated dough (like puff pastry) and chocolate. The one distinction is that this recipe makes use of store-bought puff pastry.

How Do I Minimize the Pastry For The Chocolate Pastry Braid?

Minimize small squares out of the corners of the pastry to create two sq. ends. Minimize the lengthy pastry sides into 4 strips on the diagonal. Fold the pastry ends over the chocolate bar, then braid the strips alternately to kind a braid, masking the chocolate utterly.

How To Make the Pastry Chocolate Bar

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F. Roll out a sheet of puff pastry and place a bar of darkish chocolate within the center.

Make slits with a skinny knife on either side of the puff pastry sheet.

Fold excessive and backside items of pastry.

Fold the opposite items of pastry over the chocolate bar, making a braid. It ought to cowl the chocolate bar utterly.

Brush the pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

Bake for 20 minutes till the pastry is golden and cooked by means of.