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+ servings

Homemade Croissants

Flaky, buttery, and golden brown, these are surprisingly doable with a little patience and a few simple steps.
Prep Time:45 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Rise Time:4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time:5 hours 40 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer with dough hook and paddle attachments
  • 1 Rolling Pin
  • 2 half sheet pans
  • 1 offset spatula or silicone spatula
  • 1 pizza cutter or sharp knife
  • 1 Pastry brush

Ingredients

Base Dough

  • teaspoons dry active yeast instant yeast works too
  • ¼ cup warm water about 90°F
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 cup warm milk 90–100°F; 2% or whole milk both work
  • teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup bread flour
  • cups all-purpose flour + more for rolling
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other neutral-flavored oil

Butter Block

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened; 2 sticks

For Brushing

  • 1 egg egg for optional egg wash
  • 1 tablespoon water for egg wash

Instructions

  • Make dough. In a stand mixer, combine yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Add warm milk, salt, and bread flour; mix to combine. Slowly add all-purpose flour until the dough pulls from the sides of the bowl. Mix in butter and knead about 5 minutes until smooth and soft.
  • Risse. Coat a clean bowl with oil. Place dough inside, turn once to coat, and cover. Let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  • Make butter layer. For the butter layer, beat together 2 tablespoons flour and 1 cup butter until smooth. Spread into a rectangle (about 8×13 inches) on parchment paper. Cover and chill while the dough rises.
  • Laminate. Roll risen dough into a large rectangle (about 18×26 inches). Place butter layer on half the dough and fold over to seal. Chill 30 minutes, then roll out and fold into thirds. Repeat this roll–fold–chill process 3 more times (4 total folds), chilling 30 minutes between each.
  • Roll out and shape. After the final chill, roll dough into a ½-inch thick rectangle. Cut into 12 long triangles, make a small slit at the wide end, and roll into crescent shapes. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, cover, and rise 30 minutes.
  • Final rise. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, cover, and rise 30 minutes.
  • Bake. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush tops with egg wash. Bake 25 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For pan au chocolate, place a few small pieces of good-quality semi-sweet chocolate (or chocolate chips) near the wide end of each triangle before rolling.
Dough can be prepared ahead through shaping and refrigerated overnight. Let sit 45–60 minutes before baking.
Freeze before baking for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and rise before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 331mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 674IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg
Servings: 12 croissants
Calories: 361kcal
Author: Katie Shaw