Croissants with Jam

 Simple, elegant, and irresistibly photogenic

Ingredients

• Croissants: 4 large, high-quality butter croissants (stale ones actually work great if we are toasting them!)
  
  
• Jam: 1/2 cup of your favorite fruit preserve (Raspberry or Apricot provides the best color contrast)
  
  
• The "Chef's Touch" (Optional): A dusting of powdered sugar or a handful of toasted flaked almonds.

Instructions

The Warm-Up: Preheat your oven to 180°C. Avoid using the microwave, as it makes the pastry rubbery. We want that "shatter-on-the-first-bite" texture.


The Preparation: Carefully slice the croissants lengthwise. Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread a generous, even layer of jam on the bottom half. Don't be afraid to let a little peek out the sides for that "rustic" look.


The Toast: Place the croissants on a baking sheet. Bake for 5–7 minutes. This caramelizes the sugars in the jam and restores the crispness to the laminated dough.


The Finishing Flourish: Remove from the oven. While still warm, sift a light "snowfall" of powdered sugar over the top.

If you enjoy culinary experiments, I can suggest combining jam with cheese.

Ingredients:

Croissant, apricot jam, Brie or Camembert cheese, and a few sprigs of fresh thyme.

Method:

Fill the croissant with slices of cheese and jam.
Bake in the oven (180°C) until the cheese begins to melt seductively. 

Chef's tip: Add a slice of fried bacon to create a real “explosion” of flavors (salty, sweet, creamy, and smoky).