Classic Kouign Amann Food

KOUIGN-AMANN RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, ¼ cup (2oz/57g) sugar, yeast, and ¾ teaspoon salt together. Stir in the water and 2 tablespoons of butter, and knead for 5 minutes, until the dough is soft and a little tacky. You can do this step by hand or by using a stand mixer.
• Place in a large greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1½ hours or until doubled in size.
• Punch down, cover and refrigerate for about an hour, or until doubled in size again.
• While the dough is on its second rise, beat the 1½ cups (12oz/341g) butter with the ½ cup (4oz/115g) sugar and ¾ teaspoon salt. On a piece of parchment paper, spread the butter into a 12x6-inch (30x15cm) rectangle, wrap well and refrigerate.
• Once the dough has risen for the second time, on a floured surface roll the dough into a 12x6-inch (30x15cm) rectangle, wrap well, and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until chilled and firm.
• Once both the dough and butter are cold and firm, on a floured surface, roll the dough to a 20 x 8-inch (50 x 20cm) rectangle.
• Place the chilled butter in the center third of the dough rectangle and fold the dough up like a letter.
• Roll the dough into a 24 x 8-inch (61 x 20cm) rectangle, and fold in thirds again, like a letter. Repeat this rolling and folding 2 more times, for a total of 3 times.
• Roll the dough out to a 24 x 8-inch (61 x 20cm) rectangle for the fourth time, and this time, sprinkle the surface of the dough with 2 tablespoons of sugar, fold into thirds (like a letter), wrap well and refrigerate for at least an hour, or until very firm.
• When ready to assemble the Kouign-Amann, grease a muffin tin and place a ½ cup (4oz/115g) of sugar on a plate near you.
• On a floured surface, roll the dough to a 12 x 16-inch (30x40cm) rectangle and divide the dough into 12 squares.
• For each square, press the dough on both sides into the sugar on the plate, then squeeze the corners of the dough together and place in a muffin cup. Cover the filled tin with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough overnight.
• The next morning, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Sprinkle the pastries with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastries are a deep golden brown.
• Immediately remove the Kouign-Amann from the tin and let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
• Best enjoyed the day they are baked. Store leftovers, loosely covered, at room temperature, for up to 3 days.

KOUIGN-AMANN

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let rest until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add melted butter, 2 cups flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to form a very sticky dough. Dust your work surface with remaining 1/2 cup flour.
• Turn dough out onto the floured counter. Knead, folding in the excess flour as needed, until dough is soft, slightly sticky, and elastic. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Combine sugar and most of the sea salt together in a bowl. Mix, taste, and add more salt as needed.
• Butter a 12-cup muffin tin. Spoon some of the seasoned sugar into the cups and shake to coat. Turn tin over and return excess sugar to the bowl.
• Transfer dough onto a floured surface and press into a rough rectangle. Roll dough into a rectangle about 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick. Grate cold butter onto the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Flatten butter using lightly floured hands. Fold rectangle widthwise into thirds. Press gently to square out the edges. Place dough onto a silicone-lined baking sheet. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Roll dough into a large rectangle again, pulling and stretching the corners as needed. Grate the second stick of butter over the surface. Pat down with floured fingers and fold into thirds. Roll back out into a rectangle and fold into thirds. Repeat rolling and folding one more time. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Sprinkle a generous amount of the seasoned sugar onto your work surface. Place dough onto the sugar and sprinkle more sugar on top. Roll into a large rectangle about 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick, turning and topping with sugar between rolls.
• Use a pizza cutter to trim away uneven edges. Cut dough into 12 even pieces. Sprinkle more sugar on top. Lightly pinch each pastry into a crown shape by bringing all four corners to the center; place into the muffin cups. Sprinkle more sugar on top. Let rest for 10 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned and puffed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer onto a cooling rack while still hot. Let cool for 15 minutes.

THE REAL KOUIGN AMAN

Steps:

• Prepare Bread Dough . Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Roll out the bread dough to an 11-inch circle. In a mixer or food processor, thoroughly blend the sugar with the butter. Pat the mixture into a rectangle that measures about 7 x 4 inches, and place it in the center of the dough. Fold the dough over the butter mixture on all four sides, as if you were forming an envelope. Brush any excess flour from the dough, gently press the seams together, and roll the dough and butter/sugar packet out to a rectangle that measures about 11 x 6-inch rectangle. Brush any excess flour off the dough and fold it from the short end into thirds, like a business letter, brushing flour off each surface as you fold. Repeat this process two more times, rolling very gently so you don't push the butter and sugar through the dough. The third turn is the trickiest - do it carefully, dusting the dough lightly with flour if necessary, to keep the rolling pin from sticking to any spots where the butter might peek through (an inevitability with this dough...).
• Roll out the dough to a rectangle that is about 11 x 6 inches, and a shy 1/2-inch thick. Whisk together the egg and water, and brush it lightly on the dough. Sprinkle it with the 2 tablespoons of sugar, then score the top of the it into large squares with a sharp knife. Transfer it to a baking dish or sheet with edges, so the butter and sugar that runs from the dough as it bakes won't drip on the bottom of the oven and burn. It is best to use a baking sheet or dish that is just slightly larger than the dough.
• Bake in the center of the oven until the pastry is golden and crisp on top, and the sugar and butter that has run from it is deeply caramelized at the edges, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes, then cut it into serving pieces and transfer these to a serving dish or platter.