Chocolate-Filled Buns

I remember eating chocolate-filled croissants around the holidays as a child. I decided to create something that has the best of all worlds: easy to make, whole wheat, soft dough, and, most importantly, chocolate. I like to chill the chocolate before shaping the buns so it doesn't melt while I'm working with it.

 

Ingredients

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• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (about 7 ounces)
• 1/4 cup sugar $
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 packages quick-rise yeast (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
• 3/4 cup fat-free milk $
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons canola oil $
• 1 large egg $
• 2 1/4 cups bread flour (about 10 1/2 ounces)
• Cooking spray $
• 3 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped $
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten $

Preparation

1. Lightly spoon whole wheat flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and quick-rise yeast in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
2. Combine milk, 1/2 cup water, butter, and canola oil in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until mixture is warm (100° to 110°). Add milk mixture to flour mixture; stir 1 minute. Add egg; stir 1 minute. Lightly spoon bread flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add bread flour to yeast mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Turn mixture out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 2 minutes.
3. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray; lightly coat top of dough with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 375°.
5. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, and punch down. Divide dough into 16 equal portions; shape each portion into a ball. Working with one ball at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), roll dough into a 5-inch circle. Place about 1 1/2 teaspoons chocolate in the center of circle. Roll up dough tightly, jelly-roll fashion; pinch seams to seal. Place buns, seam side down, on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray. Tuck ends under; cover. Repeat procedure with remaining dough and chocolate.
6. Lightly coat dough with cooking spray; cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 40 minutes or until doubled in size. Lightly brush tops of buns with egg white.
7. Bake at 375° for 17 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.