Cornetto Italian Butter Croissant

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add lukewarm milk, 1 egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Shape the dough into a ball, place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Punch down, reshape, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.

Take the very cold butter and place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, flatten it into a 15x15 cm (6x6 inch) square. Ensure the butter remains cold and pliable. Refrigerate until ready to use.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 20x40 cm (8x16 inch) rectangle. Place the butter block on one half of the dough, leaving a small border. Fold the other half of the dough over the butter, sealing the edges. Roll gently to a 20x60 cm (8x24 inch) rectangle. Fold the dough into thirds (like a letter), wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.

Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each fold. Always turn the dough 90 degrees before rolling to ensure even layers. After the third fold, chill the dough for at least 1 hour.

Roll the well-chilled dough into a large rectangle, about 3mm thick. Trim the edges to create a perfect rectangle. Cut the dough into long triangles (base about 8-10 cm, length about 20-25 cm). Starting from the wide base, gently roll each triangle towards the tip to form the crescent shape.

Arrange the shaped cornetti on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them proof in a warm, draft-free place for 1.5-2 hours, or until visibly puffed. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush the cornetti with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with a splash of milk). Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky.

Transfer the baked cornetti to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm, plain, or filled with your favorite jam, Nutella, or crema pasticcera for an authentic Italian breakfast experience.