Description
Discover the secret to flaky perfection with these delicious homemade croissants.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 large egg, for egg wash
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the yeast mixture to the flour, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- Shape into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- While the dough is chilling, prepare the butter layer by placing the cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper and pounding it into a rectangle about ½ inch thick. Refrigerate until firm.
- After the dough has chilled, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
- Place the chilled butter in the center of the dough and fold the sides over to encase the butter completely.
- Roll the dough out again into a rectangle, then fold it into thirds like a letter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling for 30 minutes between each fold.
- After the final fold, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick and cut into triangles (about 4 inches wide at the base).
- Starting from the base, roll each triangle up tightly to form a croissant shape.
- Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Beat the egg and brush it over the tops of the croissants.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a sweeter croissant, add a tablespoon of cinnamon and sugar to the dough before rolling.
- For a savory twist, sprinkle shredded cheese or herbs inside before rolling.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg