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Cocoa Brioche Stuffed Black Clouds

17/11/2023

The recipe for Stuffed Black Clouds or “Cocoa Brioche” are soft and tasty sweets that could be a delight for breakfast or snack. Here’s how to prepare them.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of all-purpose flour
  • 100 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 170 g of granulated sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 25 g of fresh yeast
  • 250 ml of warm milk
  • 80 g of softened butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 egg yolk (for brushing)
  • Icing sugar (for decoration)

For the filling:

  • 250 g of ricotta
  • 100 g of icing sugar
  • Zest of 1 untreated orange

Preparation

  1. In a bowl, mix the flour and cocoa powder. In another container, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and add the sugar.
  2. Pour the yeast mixture into the center of the flour and begin to knead, gradually adding the eggs and softened butter.
  3. Work the dough until it is smooth and elastic, then add the salt and continue to knead.
  4. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in volume.
  5. In the meantime, prepare the filling by mixing the ricotta with the icing sugar and the grated orange zest.
  6. When the dough has risen, deflate it and divide it into pieces of about 70 g each.
  7. Form balls with the dough and let them rest for a few minutes. Then, with the help of a rolling pin, roll them out slightly and place a teaspoon of filling in the center.
  8. Close the stuffed balls by sealing the edges well, forming clouds, and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, spacing them apart.
  9. Let them rise again for 30-40 minutes, then brush the surface with the egg yolk.
  10. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20 minutes or until the black clouds are well puffed up and with a slightly crunchy crust.
  11. Once baked, let them cool and then sprinkle with icing sugar.

Curiosity

The cocoa brioche, also known as “black clouds,” offers a more indulgent and surprising version of the classic brioche. Its filling of ricotta and orange makes it balanced in taste and pleasant to the palate. These brioches can be served as a refined dessert or as a special breakfast, especially when accompanied by a cup of coffee or cappuccino.

Remember that based on your taste and needs you could customize the filling, perhaps with the addition of dark chocolate chunks or a pastry cream. Happy preparation and bon appétit!

Cocoa Brioche Stuffed Black Clouds