Mini Chocolate Croissant Cookies

Recipe by Sarah Jampel

Each of these itty-bitty cookies looks like a miniature pain au chocolat, complete with flaky layers and a rich chocolate filling. To capture the buttery flavor and tender texture of pastry in cookie form, we start with one of our favorite base cookie doughs: rugelach, which also inspires their swirled, pain au chocolate-like shape. The filling, a simple mixture of melted chocolate, sugar, and cocoa powder, spreads easily and creates a fudgy center reminiscent of a chocolate croissant. While shaping these cookies is a bit of a project, it’s worth it: You’re left with dozens of adorable cookies that are ideal for packing into bags or boxes and gifting to neighbors, teachers, and friends. 

Prep
1 hr
Bake
30 to 35 mins
Total
4 hrs
Yield
6 dozen bite-size cookies
A pile of Chocolate Croissant Cookies - select to zoom
A pile of Chocolate Croissant Cookies - select to zoom
Chocolate Croissant Cookies on a small platter - select to zoom
A single Chocolate Croissant Cookie on a red background - select to zoom
Close up of Chocolate Croissant Cookies on parchment fresh out of the oven - select to zoom
Chocolate Croissant Cookies fresh out of the oven on parchment paper - select to zoom
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Instructions

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  1. To make the dough: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt to combine.   

  2. Add the cold butter and cream cheese and pulse about eight times, until the butter and cream cheese are broken down into pea-sized pieces. Add the sour cream and vanilla and pulse until the dough comes together in large clumps but before it forms a cohesive mass; when the dough is ready, you’ll notice the sound of the food processor change.    

  3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and divide it into three equal pieces (about 250g each). Form each piece into a 1"-thick slab (about 4" x 3"), then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or your favorite reusable wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.    

  4. To assemble the cookies: Line a baking sheet with parchment. Working with one piece of dough at a time and leaving the other two refrigerated, roll it into a rough 13" x 7" rectangle on a lightly floured surface. It’s OK if the edges are craggy.  

  5. To make the filling: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 20-second increments, stirring in between until completely melted. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stovetop.) Add the sugar, cocoa, vanilla, oil, and salt; the mixture will look slightly grainy. The filling should be loose enough to spread and warm to the touch, between 110°F and 120°F.  

  6. Working quickly, dollop a third of the chocolate mixture (4 teaspoons or about 40g) all over the surface of the dough rectangle, then use an offset spatula to spread it evenly, leaving a 1/4" border on all sides. It’s OK if the chocolate hardens slightly when it comes in contact with the cold dough.

  7. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough in half lengthwise to make two rectangles about 13" x 3 1/2" in size. Starting at the center (the edge covered with filling) and working toward the bare edge, roll the dough into a long log about 1" wide. Gently press the seam shut and use your hands to smooth any cracks on the exterior. Repeat with the other piece of dough so that you have two logs. 

  8. Place the logs seam-side down on the work surface, then trim about 1/2" off each end and discard those pieces. Using a sharp knife and wiping it clean as necessary, slice each log into twelve 1" pieces to make 24 total cookies. (For easy measuring, cut the log in half, cut each piece in half to make four quarters, and then cut each quarter into thirds). Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet with the seam on the bottom (the cookies can be very close together). Transfer to the freezer, uncovered, for at least 20 minutes.   

  9. While the first batch of cookies freezes, preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center. Assemble, shape, and freeze cookies from the two remaining pieces of dough. Between assembling batches of cookies, gently rewarm the filling mixture in the microwave in 15-second increments until it’s warm and spreadable again.  

  10. To bake the cookies: When ready to bake, mix the egg wash in a small bowl. Dip the top of each cookie in the wash, then return to the baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, one sheet at a time (keep the other cookies frozen), until the cookies are golden brown. The chocolate filling will leak slightly; that’s OK. (See “tips,” below for options on how to stagger the freezing and baking process, if desired.) 

  11. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet.  

  12. Before serving, dust the cool cookies with confectioners’ sugar, if desired.  

  13. Storage information: Store the Mini Chocolate Croissant Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Frozen, unbaked cookies can be transferred to a freezer-safe bag and stored for up to 2 months. Bake as instructed.  

Tips from our Bakers

  • You can wait until all of the cookies are frozen to start baking, or you can bake the batches separately as they complete the 20-minute freeze (as the first batch bakes, you’ll freeze the second batch and assemble the third). Note that all the cookies can fit on a single baking sheet for freezing, but they'll need to be split across two baking sheets for baking and should be baked one tray at a time for most even color.