Crackle Top Dough Recipes

CREAM PUFF "CRACK BUNS" (CHOUX AU CRAQUELIN)

Steps:

• Mix butter, brown sugar, flour, and salt together in a large bowl using a spatula. Place dough between two sheets of waxed paper or inside a zip-top bag. Press or roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Trim off the edges slightly to get a rectangular shape, if desired. Freeze crust until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.
• Combine water, butter, and salt in a saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add flour; stir with a wooden spoon until mixture comes together into a smooth dough and pulls away cleanly from the bottom of the pan. Transfer to a bowl and spread out with a whisk to speed up cooling. Cool until warm, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk eggs, one at a time, into the pastry, mixing well after each addition. Finish mixing with a spatula. Scoop pastry into a pastry bag and pipe into 6 to 8 buns on the baking sheet. Smooth out tops with a wet finger.
• Use a cookie cutter to cut crust into circles about the diameter of the buns. Lightly push crusts onto the buns, just enough to secure them.
• Place buns in the preheated oven. Immediately reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until browned and fully puffed, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer buns onto a cooling rack and place rack back on the baking sheet. Place in the turned-off oven, leave door partially open, and let cool completely, at least 20 minutes.
• Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each interval, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Spread a few teaspoons of melted chocolate onto the bottom of each bun. Gently press each chocolate base back on the baking sheet to spread it evenly. Let chocolate harden, about 1 hour.

CHOCOLATE CRACKLE-TOPS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and butter until smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in sugar and continue stirring 2-3 min or until sugar dissolves. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; stir in vanilla.
• In a separate bowl sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir into the chocolate mix in batches, until just blended. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until the dough is cold and holds its shape.
• Preheat oven to 325 deg. Grease two or more large baking sheets. Place powdered sugar in a small, deep bowl. Using your hands scoop cold dough into small balls and roll into 1 ½ in balls. Drop each ball into the powdered sugar and roll until heavily coated. Remove with a slotted spoon and tap against the side of the bowl to remove excess sugar. Place on the baking sheets 1 ½ in apart.
• Bake for 10-15 min or until tops feel slightly firm when touched. Place baking sheet on wire rack for 2-3 min, then remove cookies and cool on rack completely.