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Croatian Croissants

Delicious Croatian Croissants: A Flaky Treat You’ll Love

Enjoy delicious Croatian croissants, also known as Salenjaci, with a flaky texture and rich flavors from homemade jam and walnuts.
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Prep Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 50 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12 croissants
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Croatian
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 100 ml warm milk provides moisture and activates the yeast
  • 15 g fresh yeast for leavening; fresh yields best results
  • 500 g all-purpose flour provides structure
  • 50 g granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps browning
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt enhances flavor and controls yeast activity
  • 200 g pork leaf fat for moisture and flakiness
For the Filling
  • 100 g ground walnuts lightly toasting enhances flavor
  • 200 g jam apricot or raspberry pairs well

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • Parchment Paper
  • baking tray
  • plastic wrap
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Activate Yeast: Combine 100 ml of warm milk with fresh yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes until frothy.
  2. Make Dough: Combine warm milk, flour, frothy yeast mixture, and fine sea salt. Knead briefly and let rise for 45 minutes.
  3. Prepare Leaf Fat: Trim and refrigerate pork leaf fat. Shred or grind it when firm.
  4. Roll Dough: Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and spread one-third of the shredded leaf fat evenly on top.
  5. Fold Dough: Fold in thirds, dust with flour, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  6. Repeat Fat Incorporation: Roll out again, spread another third of leaf fat, fold in thirds, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  7. Final Layering: Repeat rolling and folding with the last third of leaf fat, chill for 30 minutes.
  8. Shape Pastries: Roll out dough to 1 cm thick, cut into squares, add jam and walnuts, and shape into pockets.
  9. Rest Before Baking: Let shaped pastries rest on a baking tray for 15-20 minutes.
  10. Bake: Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F) and bake pastries for approximately 20 minutes until golden.
  11. Finishing Touch: Dust pastries with powdered sugar while warm for enhanced flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1croissantCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Use fresh yeast for best results. Keep dough and leaf lard cold during lamination for optimal flakiness.

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