Description
Indulge in the luxurious flavors of a classic Boston Cream Pie transformed into flaky, buttery croissants filled with rich pastry cream and topped with a smooth chocolate glaze. This decadent dessert combines the lightness of croissants with the creamy texture of vanilla custard and the glossy finish of semisweet chocolate, perfect for a special occasion or an elegant treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Croissants
- 6 large butter croissants, sliced horizontally
Chocolate Glaze
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Make the Pastry Cream: Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper the eggs, then pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill until completely cooled.
- Assemble Croissants: Gently slice each croissant horizontally and fill generously with the chilled pastry cream, ensuring even distribution without breaking the delicate pastry. Place the filled croissants on a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet to catch any drips during glazing.
- Prepare Chocolate Glaze: Heat the heavy cream until just simmering and immediately pour it over the chopped semisweet chocolate and butter. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for one minute to allow melting, then stir until smooth, glossy, and well combined.
- Glaze the Croissants: Spoon or drizzle the warm chocolate glaze over the tops of the filled croissants carefully to cover evenly. Allow the glaze to set at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving, letting it firm up slightly.
Notes
- Use bakery-quality croissants with plenty of flaky layers for the best texture and flavor.
- These croissants are best enjoyed the same day for optimum freshness, but can be refrigerated for up to one day; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Handle croissants gently during assembly to maintain their delicate structure.
