Kouign-Amann
Kouign-Amann is a Breton pastry whose name simply means "butter cake." Layers of salted butter and sugar are folded into yeasted dough, then baked until the exterior caramelizes into a crisp, golden crust. Plan on about 3 hours from start to finish, including rise time.
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour preferably unbleached
- 1 teaspoon salt kosher or sea salt for better flavor
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened, for greasing
- ½ cup warm water around 110°F or 43°C
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 6 tablespoons sugar granulated
Butter Layer:
- 9 ounces unsalted butter chilled and cut into pieces
- ¼ cup sugar to sprinkle
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast and warm water. Mix to form a dough.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- After the initial rise, punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle about 18x12 inches.
- Take your chilled butter pieces and place them over two-thirds of the dough rectangle. Fold the uncovered third over the butter-covered middle third, then fold the remaining third on top, like folding a letter.
- Roll the dough back out to an 18x12 inch rectangle. Fold in thirds again and then cover with plastic wrap. Let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Repeat the rolling and folding process 2 more times, chilling for 30 minutes between each fold.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough to a little over a 12-inch square. Cut into 12 equal pieces, about 4 inches each. Sprinkle sugar in the center of each square and fold corners to the center to form a smaller square.
- Place each kouign-amann on the prepared baking sheet. Let rise for 30 minutes until slightly puffy.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes until deep golden brown. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For an extra touch of elegance, try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the sugar for a flavorful twist.
- To achieve the perfect caramelization, ensure your butter remains cold throughout the rolling process.
Nutrition
Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 198mgPotassium: 33mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 560IUVitamin C: 0.002mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
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