Introduction
If you’re a fan of French pastries, there’s a good chance that you’ve already encountered the delightful aroma of freshly baked French Chocolate Chip Viennoises. This irresistible treat, also known as Vienna Baguettes, combines the buttery richness of a traditional baguette with the sweet indulgence of chocolate chips. These soft, pillowy loaves are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even as a light dessert. Inspired by Del’s Cooking Twist, this recipe will guide you through the process of creating this heavenly baked good from scratch, bringing a touch of French elegance to your kitchen.
In this guide, we’ll break down the recipe into simple steps, covering everything from ingredients to baking tips, and even variations. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is designed to help you achieve the perfect French Chocolate Chip Viennoises every time.
What Is French Chocolate Chip Viennoises?
French Chocolate Chip Viennoises (also called Vienna Baguettes) are a type of enriched bread made with milk, cream, butter, and a touch of sugar, giving them a soft, rich texture that pairs wonderfully with chocolate. They are typically baked in long, baguette-like shapes and are dotted with chocolate chips, creating pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the bread.
Unlike a traditional baguette, Viennoises have a slightly sweeter and more cake-like texture due to the use of milk, cream, and butter. The dough is enriched with active yeast, which allows it to rise and become fluffy, resulting in a soft and airy crumb. The chocolate chips add a sweet contrast to the bread, making each bite a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
The Origin of French Chocolate Chip Viennoises
The history of Viennoises bread traces back to Austria, specifically Vienna, during the 18th century. The recipe evolved over time, with French bakers adding their own spin. By the time it made its way to France, it became a beloved treat with various adaptations. One of the most popular variations of Viennoises today is the version with chocolate chips, often referred to as French Chocolate Chip Viennoises.
As with many traditional French pastries, the balance between butter, yeast, and the subtle sweetness of the bread is key to achieving the perfect flavor and texture. This particular recipe, inspired by Del’s Cooking Twist, has gained popularity for its simplicity and ability to create soft, melt-in-your-mouth loaves that are easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients for French Chocolate Chip Viennoises
For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 10 cl whole milk (approximately 100 ml)
- 10 cl whipping cream (approximately 100 ml)
- 0.9 oz fresh yeast (or 10g active dry yeast)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 75 g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 egg yolk (for brushing)
These simple ingredients come together to form a rich, buttery dough that rises beautifully and bakes up into golden, delicious loaves. Each ingredient plays a critical role in ensuring the bread is soft, flavorful, and the chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing French Chocolate Chip Viennoises
1. Warm the Liquids
Start by heating the whole milk and whipping cream in a small saucepan over low heat. The goal is to warm them to about 100°F (38°C), which is the optimal temperature for activating the yeast. Be careful not to overheat the liquid, as it could kill the yeast.
2. Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, crumble the fresh yeast (or use active dry yeast) and add 1 tsp of sugar. Pour in the warm milk and cream mixture and whisk it together. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This is the proofing stage that lets you know the yeast is active and ready to do its job.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Add the beaten egg and the activated yeast mixture. Use a whisk to combine everything until smooth and well incorporated.
4. Add the Flour
Switch to the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer. Gradually add all-purpose flour, about 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue mixing until the dough begins to form and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Knead the Dough
Knead the dough with the stand mixer on low speed for about 4 minutes. The dough should become soft, elastic, and slightly tacky. If it feels too sticky, add a little extra flour, but be careful not to add too much.
6. First Rise
Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
7. Incorporate the Chocolate Chips
Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the dough and knead them in until they are evenly distributed.
8. Shape the Baguettes
Divide the dough into 4–8 equal pieces, depending on the size of baguettes you prefer. Roll each piece into a log shape, gently flattening it out, then fold and roll it into a baguette shape. This will give your Viennoises their signature elongated look.
9. Second Rise
Place the shaped baguettes onto a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving enough space between them for expansion. Cover them loosely with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
10. Brush with Egg Yolk
Preheat the oven to 480°F (250°C). In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk and brush it over the top of the risen dough to give it a golden, glossy finish. For an extra touch, use kitchen shears to score the dough diagonally.
11. Bake
Carefully transfer the tray to the oven and bake for about 8–10 minutes or until the baguettes are golden brown and have a crisp, light exterior. Keep a close eye on them toward the end to avoid overbaking.
12. Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the Viennoises from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. You can serve them warm or let them cool completely for a delicious, indulgent treat.
Tips & Variations for French Chocolate Chip Viennoises
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Using mini chocolate chips ensures that the chocolate is evenly distributed throughout the dough. They also melt beautifully inside the bread, making each bite even more indulgent.
- Alternative Fillings: If you’re not a fan of chocolate, try using dried fruit like raisins, apricots, or cranberries. You can also experiment with nuts, such as chopped hazelnuts or almonds, for added texture and flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: These French Chocolate Chip Viennoises are perfect when served warm with butter, jam, or even a drizzle of honey. They’re great for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee.
- Sweet Dough Variations: If you want to make your dough slightly sweeter, you can add a little extra sugar or use a flavored butter, like cinnamon butter or honey butter, for spreading.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Can I use active dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can. If you’re using active dry yeast, substitute 10g for the 0.9 oz of fresh yeast. Just make sure to activate it in warm milk and sugar before mixing it into the dough.
2. How do I store French Chocolate Chip Viennoises?
Store your freshly baked Viennoises in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them, and they’ll keep for up to 1 month. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven for a few minutes.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it after the first rise. The next morning, let the dough come to room temperature before shaping and baking. This makes the process much quicker the next day.
Conclusion
Making French Chocolate Chip Viennoises at home is easier than you might think, and the result is a truly indulgent, bakery-worthy treat. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, sharing them with friends, or treating yourself to an afternoon snack, these soft, chocolate-filled baguettes will never disappoint. With a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can create the perfect batch of French Viennoises every time.
So, why not give this recipe a try today? Let the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread fill your kitchen, and experience the joy of making these irresistible pastries from scratch.
How to Make Irresistibly Soft French Chocolate Chip Viennoises (Vienna Baguettes) – A Step-by-Step Guide
- Total Time: 1 hr 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 viennoises 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
French Chocolate Chip Viennoises (also called Vienna Baguettes) are a type of enriched bread made with milk, cream, butter, and a touch of sugar, giving them a soft, rich texture that pairs wonderfully with chocolate. They are typically baked in long, baguette-like shapes and are dotted with chocolate chips, creating pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the bread.
Ingredients
- 10 cl whole milk
- 10 cl whipping cream
- 0.9 oz fresh yeast (or 10g active dry yeast)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 75 g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 egg yolk (for brushing)
Instructions
- Warm the liquids: Heat milk and cream to about 100°F (38°C). Don’t overheat or it may kill the yeast.
- Activate yeast: Crumble yeast into a bowl, add 1 tsp sugar, and whisk in the warm milk-cream mixture. Let bloom for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a stand mixer, whisk melted butter and sugar. Add beaten egg and yeast mixture. Mix well.
- Add flour: Switch to dough hook. Add flour in 2–3 additions, mixing well each time. Knead for about 4 minutes until soft and elastic.
- First rise: Shape dough into a ball, cover, and let rise at room temp for 1 hour until doubled.
- Add chocolate chips: Knead chips into dough until evenly distributed.
- Shape baguettes: Divide dough into 4–8 pieces. Flatten each, fold and roll into baguette shapes.
- Second rise: Place on parchment-lined tray, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Brush & score: Brush with egg yolk. Score diagonally with kitchen shears.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 480°F (250°C). Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool & enjoy: Let cool slightly or completely before serving.
Notes
These soft and buttery French Chocolate Chip Viennoises are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. Enjoy them warm with a cup of coffee or tea, or serve with a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hr rising time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 viennoise
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: Moderate
Keywords: Chocolate Chip Viennoises, Vienna Baguettes, French Chocolate Bread
