Though nothing compares to real chocolate croissants, this shortcut variation is perfect when you’re short on time, baking with kids, or simply want something much easier. These chocolate crescents are filled with rich chocolate, topped with more chocolate, and take only 20 minutes from start to finish.
Are you ready for the world’s easiest recipe? Wait. Should I even call it a recipe when there are only 3 ingredients? This week I used Pillsbury Crescent Rolls to make today’s treat.
Chocolate is a dough’s best friend. Have you ever had a chocolate croissant before? Either homemade chocolate croissants (known as pain au chocolat), from a bakery, from Paris, made with chocolate pastry, layered with chocolate, etc. No matter how or where they’re served, chocolate pastries are completely divine.
These chocolate crescents couldn’t be any simpler. Sometimes shortcuts in the kitchen are welcomed with open arms, especially when life gets a little hectic. There’s just a few quick steps to get down: roll out, fill, roll up, bake. You can use chocolate chips, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or heck, even white chocolate would be incredible. This time I used semi-sweet chocolate chips and a chopped dark chocolate bar.
Mini (no yeast) cinnamon buns are another easy recipe that uses crescent dough. It’s always great to have options when you need a sweet treat—and fast!
You can even try adding fresh whipped cream or salted caramel on top—delicious!
Print20 Minute Chocolate Crescents
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 croissants
- Category: Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These shortcut chocolate croissants could not be any easier. Filled with rich chocolate, topped with more chocolate, and only 20 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 1Â can (8 oz) Pillsburyâ„¢ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped pure chocolate*
- 1 large egg, beaten
- optional: 1/4 teaspoon shortening
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Separate crescent roll dough into 8 triangles. Sprinkle about 1 Tablespoon of chocolate chips/chunks on top of each triangle as shown above. Use your best judgement—if you think your triangle can hold more, add more. If you think it should hold less, use less chocolate chips. Press chips down lightly to get them to stick. Reserve remaining chocolate chips.
- Roll up, starting from wide end and rolling to opposite point. Place onto baking sheet and curve into croissant shape. Brush the croissants lightly with beaten egg—this helps gives them that golden sheen.
- Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Melt the remaining chocolate in the microwave in 10 second increment, stirring after each increment. Add shortening to thin out if desired. Drizzle over croissants and serve warm. Try adding fresh whipped cream or even salted caramel on top. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for 3 days.
Notes
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Baking Sheet | Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper | Pastry Brush | Glass Mixing Bowl
- Chocolate: I find that chopped pure chocolate melts much easier in the crescent dough than chocolate chips. I simply used a dark chocolate bar I had lying around. Any pure chocolate will do.
- Larger Batch: This recipe can easily be doubled.
- Homemade Pastry Dough: Feel free to swap this packaged dough with my homemade pastry dough instead.
- Homemade Chocolate Croissants: Try making homemade chocolate croissants completely from scratch!