Croissant Recipe

why make this recipe

Croissants are a delightful pastry that many people love. They have a flaky, buttery texture and are perfect for breakfast or a snack. Making your own croissants at home might seem challenging, but it is truly rewarding. You can enjoy their warm, fresh taste and impress your family and friends. Plus, nothing beats the smell of freshly baked croissants in your kitchen!

how to make Croissant Recipe

Ingredients:

• 18 oz all-purpose flour (or just over 4 cups)
• ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 2½ tsp fine sea salt or table salt
• 1 Tbsp + 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp cold water
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp cold whole milk
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (use European-style butter)
• 1¼ cups cold, unsalted butter (use European-style butter only)
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

How to Make Croissant Dough:

1. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
2. Add cold water and milk to the mixture.
3. Mix until combined and knead the dough for about 3-5 minutes.
4. Form the dough into a ball, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

How to Laminate the Dough:

1. Roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface.
2. Take the cold, unsalted butter and place it in the center of the dough.
3. Fold the edges of the dough over the butter so it is completely encased.
4. Roll the dough out gently, then fold it three times like a letter. Repeat this process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each fold.

How to Form Croissants:

1. Roll the laminated dough into a large rectangle.
2. Cut the dough into triangles.
3. Starting from the base of each triangle, roll it up towards the tip to form the croissant shape.
4. Place the shaped croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

How to Bake Croissants:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Let the croissants rise for another hour.
3. Beat the egg and yolk together with a pinch of salt, and brush this mixture on top of the croissants.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

how to serve Croissant Recipe

Croissants are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with butter, jam, honey, or even chocolate. They go well with coffee, tea, or warm milk. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven for the best taste!

how to store Croissant Recipe

To store leftover croissants, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Wrap each croissant in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to 2 months in the freezer. To enjoy, simply reheat them in the oven.

tips to make Croissant Recipe

• Make sure your butter is cold and firm for perfect lamination.
• Be patient during the rising times; this helps create the flaky layers.
• Use European-style butter for a richer flavor and better texture.
• Don’t rush the folding and rolling process; it’s crucial for flaky croissants.

variation

You can make chocolate croissants by adding a piece of chocolate at the base of the triangle before rolling it up. You can also try almond croissants by adding almond paste inside.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to make croissants?
Making croissants takes several hours, mostly due to the rising and resting times. Overall, plan for about 6-8 hours, including time for chilling and rising.

2. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can use all-purpose flour! It will still produce tasty croissants, though the texture might be slightly different.

3. What if I don’t have European-style butter?
You can use regular unsalted butter, but the flavor and flakiness may not be as rich. If you can find European-style butter, it’s highly recommended!

Homemade Croissants

Print Recipe

Delightful, flaky pastries that are perfect for breakfast or a snack, made fresh at home.

• Total Time: 200 minutes
• Yield: 12 croissants 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 18 oz all-purpose flour (just over 4 cups)
• ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 2½ tsp fine sea salt or table salt
• 1 Tbsp + 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp cold water
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp cold whole milk
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (use European-style butter)
• 1¼ cups cold, unsalted butter (use European-style butter only)
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
2. Add cold water and milk to the mixture.
3. Mix until combined and knead the dough for about 3-5 minutes.
4. Form the dough into a ball, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
5. Roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface.
6. Place the cold, unsalted butter in the center of the dough.
7. Fold the edges of the dough over the butter to encase it completely.
8. Roll the dough out gently and then fold it three times like a letter. Repeat this process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each fold.
9. Roll the laminated dough into a large rectangle.
10. Cut the dough into triangles.
11. Starting from the base of each triangle, roll it up towards the tip to form the croissant shape.
12. Place the shaped croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
13. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
14. Let the croissants rise for another hour.
15. Beat the egg and yolk together with a pinch of salt, and brush this mixture on top of the croissants.
16. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Notes

Serve with butter, jam, honey, or chocolate. Best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

• Author: jessica-baker
• Prep Time: 180 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Pastry
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 croissant
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: croissants, pastry, baking, French recipe, homemade croissants