Indulge in the delectable intersection of democracy and culinary delight with Democratic Croissants. These flaky pastries embody the spirit of inclusion, diversity, and equality, baked to perfection with layers of buttery goodness. Each bite represents a commitment to democratic values, fostering unity through shared enjoyment. Whether you savor them with a cup of fair-trade coffee or as a snack during a community gathering, Democratic Croissants are more than just a pastry – they're a symbol of a society where everyone has a seat at the table. Join the movement for a flavorful democracy with every delicious mouthful of Democratic Croissants.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/2 cup cold milk

For the butter block:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold

Instructions:

1- Start by preparing the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.

2- Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add them to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3- Gradually pour in the cold water and milk, stirring until a rough dough forms.

4- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

5- While the dough is chilling, prepare the butter block. Place the cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to flatten it into a 6x6-inch square. Refrigerate until firm.

6- Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 10x10-inch square.

7- Place the chilled butter block diagonally on the rolled-out dough, so it covers half of the dough. Fold the other half of the dough over the butter block, enclosing it completely.

8- Roll the dough out again into a rectangle, about 12x20 inches. Fold the rectangle into thirds, like folding a letter.

9- Rotate the dough 90 degrees, so the folded edge is on your left, and roll it out again into a 12x20-inch rectangle. Fold it into thirds again.

10- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible.

11- After chilling, repeat the rolling and folding process (steps 8-10) two more times, for a total of three times. This creates the layers in the croissants.

12- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.

13- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into triangles. Roll each triangle up tightly, starting from the wide end, to form croissants.

14- Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them to expand.

15- Let the croissants rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, until they are puffy.

16- Bake the croissants in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and flaky.

17- Remove the croissants from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious Democratic Croissants!

This recipe makes about 12 croissants. Feel free to adjust the ingredients accordingly if you need more or fewer croissants.

Nutritional Values:

Here are approximate nutritional values for the ingredients used in the Democratic Croissants recipe:

All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups):

• Calories: 810 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 171 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Fat: 1.8 g
• Fiber: 9 g

benefits:

• Provides carbohydrates, which are the body's primary source of energy.
• Contains protein for muscle repair and growth.
• Contains fiber, aiding in digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness.

Granulated sugar (1/4 cup):

• Calories: 200 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits:

• Provides a quick source of energy due to its high carbohydrate content.
• Adds sweetness and flavor to baked goods.
• Enhances browning and texture in baked goods.

Salt (1 teaspoon):

• Calories: 0 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 2,300 mg (daily value)

benefits:

• Enhances flavor in baked goods by balancing sweetness and bringing out other flavors.
• Helps to strengthen gluten in dough, resulting in better texture.
• Acts as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.

Instant yeast (1 packet):

• Calories: 0 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g

benefits:

• Leavens dough by producing carbon dioxide gas, causing it to rise.
• Helps create a light and airy texture in baked goods.
• Speeds up the fermentation process compared to active dry yeast.

Unsalted butter (1 cup for dough, 1 cup for butter block):

• Calories: 1,628 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 184 g
• Sodium: 32 mg

benefits:

• Adds richness and flavor to baked goods.
• Provides fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K.
• Contains healthy saturated fats, which are important for brain function and hormone production.

Water (1/2 cup):

• Calories: 0 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g

benefits:

• Essential for hydration and maintaining bodily functions.
• Helps bind ingredients together in dough.
• Assists in activating yeast and gluten development in dough.

Milk (1/2 cup):

• Calories: 61 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Fat: 3 g

benefits:

• Provides protein for muscle growth and repair.
• Contains calcium and vitamin D for strong bones and teeth.
• Adds moisture, richness, and flavor to baked goods.

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on the specific brands and types of ingredients used. Additionally, the nutritional values are based on standard serving sizes for each ingredient.