Franzbrötchen: a flattened cinnamon croissant
Imagine this: a croissant, but flattened and flavored with cinnamon, and sometimes even filled with chocolate or raisins. This Hamburg equivalent of the croissant is everything you could want.
The story goes that this German pastry was once created as a quiet act of rebellion against the French occupation during Napoleon’s time. Hamburg bakers pretended not to understand when French soldiers asked for croissants, and made something that looked like one but wasn’t the same.
How is Franzbrötchen made?
Franzbrötchen have a lot in common with croissants, but are just a little sturdier in texture. The dough is made with butter, flour, yeast, milk, sugar and a little salt. The dough is also spread with a generous layer of butter, sugar and cinnamon and then rolled up. Want to make them yourself? Follow this recipe.
Because of the amount of butter, sugar and cinnamon, Franzbrötchen are often a little sticky and therefore finger-licking good. Is cinnamon alone not enough for you? Add chocolate or raisins too. The more, the better, if you ask us. In Hamburg and other German cities, you can get Franzbrötchen at bakeries and cafés.
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