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Homemade Flaky Croissants

Delight in the process of making golden and flaky croissants at home, bringing the café experience into your kitchen with this simple recipe.
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 12 croissants
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: French, Pastry
Calories: 230

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold Should be cold for lamination.
  • 1.5 cups whole milk, warmed Warm to approximately 110°F.
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 1 large egg For egg wash.
  • Additional butter for greasing and rolling out

Method
 

Preparation and Dough Making
  1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix warmed milk with sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Create a well in the center, then pour in the activated yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. Shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
  4. Prepare the Butter Block: Pound cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper into a rectangle about 8x10 inches. Chill until firm.
Lamination and Shaping
  1. Lamination Process: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a rectangle roughly twice the size of the butter block. Place the butter in the center, fold the dough over, and seal the edges.
  2. Roll and Fold: Roll out the dough into another long rectangle. Fold it into thirds like a letter, then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Repeat for a total of three folds.
  3. Shape the Croissants: Roll out the dough into a large rectangle and slice into triangles. Roll each triangle tightly from the base toward the tip.
Final Rise and Baking
  1. Place the rolled croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let them rise for another hour. Brush with beaten egg, then bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until golden.

Notes

Store leftover croissants at room temperature for up to two days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.