Croissants are a classic French pastry that are beloved all over the world. The crispy, buttery layers and delicate flakiness make them a delicious treat for breakfast, brunch, or any time of day. While croissants may seem daunting to make at home, they are actually relatively simple to prepare with a little patience and practice. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make croissants from scratch, so you can enjoy the heavenly taste of freshly baked croissants in the comfort of your own home.
Croissants step by step
Freshly baked croissants are a delicious and impressive treat that are sure to impress your family and friends. While making croissants from scratch may seem intimidating, with a little practice and patience, you’ll soon be able to master this classic French pastry.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet of active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast until well combined.
- Add the warm milk and mix until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the butter. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and place them on a sheet of parchment paper. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to pound the butter into a flat rectangle. Chill the butter in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
- Place the chilled butter in the center of the dough and fold the dough over the butter, pinching the edges to seal.
- Roll the dough out into a large rectangle again and fold it into thirds, like a letter. This is called a «turn.»
- Repeat the rolling and folding process (turn) two more times, chilling the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes between each turn.
- After the third turn, roll the dough out into a large rectangle again.
- Cut the dough into triangles, and roll each triangle up from the wide end to the tip.
- Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Brush the croissants with beaten egg and bake for 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown.
Whether you enjoy croissants for breakfast, brunch, or any time of day, the flaky layers and buttery taste will transport you straight to a cozy café in Paris. So go ahead and give this recipe a try, and enjoy the satisfying taste of homemade croissants.
Good Luck!