Desi Cafes Are Creating The Viral 'Crookie'; Here's Why Foodies Love It

You’d think nothing would ever match the fusion potential of the cruffin or the cronut which took the dessert circuit by storm when they were first made. However, the crookie sensation has been steadily gaining momentum for more than a year now. First made in Stéphane Louvard’s Parisian bakery Boulangerie Louvard, in 2022 the crookie went viral shortly after its invention. 

Also Read: Japanese Chocolate Bread Goes Viral; 6 Flavoured Loaves You Can Make

Needless to say, Indian bakeries too were waiting to get in on the trend. Suchali Jain’s popular brand Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse just introduced the viral crookie to its menu and the brand’s line of baked goods is also available at the popular pan-India coffee chain Blue Tokai.

Sweetish House Mafia is another Mumbai brand which brought the crookie to its menu; in a collaboration with Colaba’s House of Amel, the brand just revealed the crookie 

Pastry chef Vinesh Johny’s Lavonne Cafe in New Delhi is serving their version of the crookie featuring an open-crust circular croissant base with a gooey cookie dough base. Chennai’s Sowl Bakery which is famed for its Parisian bakes and also makes the cruffin, also has a similar open-faced crookie which is possibly denser and also more indulgent than the regular crookie. 

If you’re obsessed with the crookie but don’t have a bakery or dessert joint in your city that sells it, try making it at home! The key to the perfect crookie is fresh, homemade cookie dough! Crookie is essentially a twice-baked croissant, so the freshes and airier your dough is, the more well-rounded will it taste. Plus, you can also regulate the amount of sugar and the kind of chocolate you use. Here’s an easy recipe for the viral crookie which you can make at home.

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

1/2 cup (120ml) warm water

1 cup (2 sticks or 225g) unsalted butter, chilled

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups (155g) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (175g) chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (optional)

Method

Prepare the croissant dough

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth.

Roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the chilled butter into thin slices and arrange them over two-thirds of the dough rectangle.

Fold the unbuttered third of the dough over the center, then fold the opposite third over the top, like folding a letter.

Roll the dough out again into a rectangle and repeat the folding process. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Prepare the cookie dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

Fold in the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, if using. Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Assemble the Crookies

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled croissant dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.

Using a cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut the croissant dough into small squares or rectangles. Take a portion of chilled cookie dough and flatten it slightly between your palms.

Place a flattened cookie dough portion onto each piece of croissant dough. Fold the croissant dough over the cookie dough, sealing the edges to encase the cookie dough completely.

Place the Crookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the Crookies are golden brown.

Allow the Crookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.