Easy Croissant Recipe
on May 04, 2021
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Homemade croissants that are flaky, buttery, layered, and delicious. I know some people hear the word “croissant” and run the other way but I’m going to show you how to make this decadent treat with ease.
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Beth’s Homemade Croissants
Making croissants does require some time, patience, and lots of rolling. It is a labor of love, but one that has a tasty ending. Plus, if you have those skills (patience and know how to use a rolling pin!) you’ll be able to make these at home.
It is worth trying your hand at baking croissants. These have beautiful layers and make any occasion or meal feel a little more fancy. Croissants would be so fun for a baby or bridal shower or just a fun birthday breakfast.
What are croissants?
Croissants are a French pastry in the shape of a crescent. They are known for their layered, flaky, buttery goodness. In Europe, croissants are served with jam or nutella- not going to complain about that!
What does it mean to laminate dough?
Laminating is a process of alternating thin layers of butter and dough. You fold and roll over and over again. This creates several layers of butter and dough. As the croissants are baking, the butter melts and releases steam which in turn puffs up the thin layers and the results are hundreds of butter filled layers.
What kind of flour is best for croissants?
This recipe calls for all purpose flour which makes it a great candidate for the home cook; no specialty ingredients needed.
What goes well with a croissant?
You can choose to serve your croissant in a sweet or savory way. Some serving ideas include: spreading a thin layer of nutella on, serving with berries and cream or try brie and bacon. So many options. Most of the time though we just eat them as is with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.
Things you will need to make homemade croissants:
- Rolling pin
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife
- Pastry brush
- Baking mat or parchment paper
- Baking sheet
More recipes you’ll love:
- Beth’s Blueberry Cream Scone Recipe
- The Best Butter Biscuits
- Instant Pot Egg Salad (no boiled eggs to peel!)
If you’ve tried this easy croissant recipe or any other recipe on Bless this Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories AND add your photo to your comment so that other can see your creation!
Easy Croissant Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon active dry yeast
- ¼ cup cold water
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 ½ cups 2% or whole milk
- 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 ½ sticks cold unsalted butter, (20 tablespoons)
- honey butter for brushing on after bakes
- Optional fillings: chocolate or almond paste
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in the water. Dissolve sugar and salt in cold milk. Combine yeast and milk solutions.
- Add to flour in mixer. Mix with dough hook on low speed until all ingredients are combined.
- Turn out onto counter and knead until smooth to touch, about 2 minutes.
- Place back in bowl, cover the bowl with a clean dish towel, and let rest at room temperature 1 hour.
- Place butter between 2 pieces of cling wrap and roll with rolling pin into a rectangle.
- Roll dough into rectangle and cover ⅔ with the butter. Fold dough into thirds. Roll out and fold into thirds twice more.
- Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Roll out dough into long rectangle and cut into 16 triangles.
- Cut a small slit into wide end of triangle. Roll up triangles starting from the wide end. For filled croissants place small amount of chocolate chips or almond paste at wide part of triangle before rolling up.
- Place on baking sheet a few inches apart.
- Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20 minutes or until the croissants are a deep golden brown, do no under bake.
- Once out of oven brush with honey butter for shiny finish. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an air-tight container.
Nutrition
This croissant recipe is worth the wait. They truly are a work of art and you will impress anyone who devours this delicious pastry.
