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How to Make Flaky Homemade Croissants

How to Make Flaky Homemade Croissants


  • Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 croissants 1x

Description

Learn how to make flaky, buttery homemade croissants from scratch. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process of creating delicious, bakery-worthy croissants with perfect layers of butter and dough. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this recipe will help you achieve croissants that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 12g (2 tsp) salt
  • 55g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
  • 10g (1 tbsp) active dry yeast
  • 250ml (1 cup) whole milk, lukewarm
  • 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
  • 150ml (2/3 cup) cold water

For the Butter Block:

  • 280g (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tbsp water

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
  2. Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture along with cold water, and mix to form a dough.
  4. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.
  5. Shape the dough into a ball, cover, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Butter Block

  1. Place cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it into a 7-inch square using a rolling pin.
  2. Refrigerate the butter block while the dough rises.

Step 3: Laminate the Dough

  1. Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 10-inch square.
  2. Place the cold butter block in the center and fold the dough over the butter to seal it inside.
  3. Roll the dough into a 24×10-inch rectangle.
  4. Fold the dough into thirds (like a letter), wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
  5. Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling for 30 minutes between each fold.

Step 4: Shape the Croissants

  1. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
  2. Cut the dough into triangles (4 inches wide, 8 inches tall).
  3. Roll each triangle tightly from the base to the tip to form the croissant shape.
  4. Place the croissants on a parchment-lined baking sheet, tucking the tips under to keep them from unrolling.

Step 5: Proof the Croissants

  1. Cover the croissants with a towel and let them rise for 2 hours until doubled in size.

Step 6: Bake the Croissants

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Brush the croissants with the egg wash.
  3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and flaky.
  4. Cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Temperature Control: Keep the butter cold throughout the lamination process to ensure proper layering.
  • Chill the Dough: Be patient and ensure the dough is chilled between folds to prevent the butter from mixing into the dough.
  • Storage: Store croissants in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Pastry
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Keywords: homemade croissants, flaky croissants, buttery croissants, croissant recipe