It's our FIRST BIRTHDAY! with Quick cinnamon and chilli Pan au Chocolat

Today is Cartoon Kirsty Cooks FIRST Birthday! WAHOO! So far this year we've had 3266 visitors form all over the world- which is very exciting!

How to make a Star Craft Cake is the most popular post of the year, which the almost six times as many hits as any other post- so check it out if you haven't already seen it, as the base is a jolly good cherry sponge- just right for birthdays

For our birthday recipe I thought I'd tell you about my Pan au Chocolat, unfortuantly I can't find the camera, so I can't upload a picture for you yet- oops! I like this recipe because it's really quick, and it makes a nice treat to have fresh hot pasties for breakfast :)


1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry (chilled)
Nutella (or similar chocolate spread
Vanilla essence
Cinnamon (optional)
Chilli (optional)
Icing sugar for dusting ( or flour)

Prep time 10 min
Cooking time 8-12 min

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C

2. Line a baking tray with tin foil, and dust with icing sugar. The aim of this recipe is to have as little washing up as possible ( after all it is a birthday treat) so we're using the baking tray as a work area!

3. Unroll the pastry on to the tray and dust the other side with sugar (you can use flour, but icing sugar tastes better and gives the pastry a nice gloss when cooked) If the pastry warms the sugar will go sticky, so work fast, return the tray to the fridge if you need to.

4. In a small bowl or cup mix a large dollop of Nutella with a few drops of vanilla essence.

5. Spread thinly and evenly over the pastry as quickly as possible without putting the pallet knife or spoon through the pastry; warm pastry won't rise as well. 

6. Add a dusting of cinnamon and a very fine dusting of chilli powder (optional)

7. Either: roll into a large sausage from the long side, then cut into pin-wheels, about 1-2 cm thick.

or

roll both halves of the pastry into the middle to for a B shape, then cut into roughly 10 cm lengths. 

8. Arrange the pastries on the tray so that they aren't touching and finish with another dusting of sugar.

9. Place in the middle of the hot oven for 8-12 mins, or until golden brown. While the pastries are cooking make your favourite hot drink, for example tea, coffee or hot chocolate, add indulgent birthday treats such as whipped cream (although maybe not on top of the tea!)

10. Carefully remove the hot pastries from the oven, place on a tray with your drink and return to bed to read a good book, or to a preferred location of your choice! Enjoy!!


***Happy New Year Everyone :)***