Ham And Cheese Croissants
Instructions
Place milk powder and yeast in a bowl. Whisk with a fork while gradually adding 250ml (1 cup) of the water, stirring until the milk powder and yeast dissolves. Combine remaining water, sugar and salt in a bowl and stir until sugar dissolves.
Combine the flour and bread improver in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the yeast and sugar mixtures. Use a round-bladed knife to mix together using a cutting motion, then use your hands to mix until a dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel and place in a warm, draught-free place to prove for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
Punch the dough down with your fist. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 6 hours to rest.
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball. Use a sharp knife to cut a cross, 10cm wide and 8cm deep, in the top of the dough. Place the butter in the centre of the cross. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out the dough around the butter to form four 10cm-diameter semicircles, about 1cm thick. Fold the semicircles over to enclose the butter.
Roll out dough to a 40 x 60cm rectangle. With a short edge facing you, fold the bottom third of dough into the centre, then fold top third over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest. Repeat process 2 more times, covering dough with plastic wrap and placing in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes each time.
Preheat oven to 200C. Roll out the pastry to a 40 x 70cm rectangle, about 1.5cm thick. Cut into 14 triangles (14 x 14 x 18cm). With the long edge of a triangle facing you, place a little cheese and chopped ham in the centre. Starting at the base, roll pastry away from you to enclose the filling. Place on the prepared tray, seam-side down, and shape into a crescent. Repeat with the remaining pastry, cheese and ham. Combine the egg and milk in a jug. Brush croissants evenly with the egg mixture. Place in a warm, draught-free place for 15 minutes or until doubled in size.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
