There’s nothing quite like biting into a freshly baked croissant, with its golden, flaky exterior and soft, buttery interior. Making croissants at home might seem like a daunting task, but with patience and practice, you can master the technique and bring the taste of a French bakery into your own kitchen. These croissants have a delicate texture thanks to layers of dough and rich butter, creating that signature flaky structure. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack. Each bite is light, crispy, and melts in your mouth, making them worth every bit of effort.
Why You’ll Love This:
You’ll fall in love with these homemade croissants because they offer the ultimate balance between effort and reward. Although the process requires some time and attention to detail, the end result is a batch of buttery, golden croissants that you’ll be proud to serve. The combination of high-quality ingredients and careful technique makes a world of difference, allowing you to create croissants that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the art of laminated dough, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of making croissants from scratch.
Perfect Occasion:
These croissants are ideal for a special breakfast or weekend brunch when you want to impress your family or guests. They’re also perfect for a holiday spread, adding a touch of elegance to your table. Serve them with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy treat. You can also make a larger batch and freeze the extras, baking them fresh whenever you need a quick, impressive pastry for an occasion. These croissants are not only a delicious treat but also a symbol of patience and skill, making them perfect for any gathering that celebrates food and craftsmanship.
Decoration Tips:
For a professional look, brush the croissants with an egg wash just before baking to give them a golden, glossy finish. You can also sprinkle a few sesame seeds or almond flakes on top for added texture and flavor. For a sweet variation, consider dusting the finished croissants with powdered sugar, or even drizzling them with a bit of chocolate or honey. If you want a savory twist, sprinkle a bit of sea salt or grated cheese before baking. These small touches can elevate the presentation and make them look even more bakery-worthy.
Ingredients for the Dough:
- 500 grams of bread flour
- 100 grams of cold water (2°C)
- 150 grams of cold milk (2°C)
- 15 grams of dry yeast
- 10 grams of honey
- 50 grams of powdered sugar
- 10 grams of salt
- 50 grams of cold butter, cut into cubes
For Laminating (Butter Layer):
- 250 grams of butter, rolled into a 20×20 cm square using parchment paper
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
In a stand mixer, combine the flour, cold water, cold milk, dry yeast, honey, powdered sugar, salt, and cubed cold butter. Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Perform a gluten windowpane test to check the dough’s elasticity, ensuring the final dough temperature doesn’t exceed 24°C. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest on the counter for 20 minutes. Then, roll the dough out into a rectangle that measures approximately 20×40 cm and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough overnight. - Next Day – Laminate the Dough:
The next day, begin the lamination process by incorporating the butter. Remove both the dough and butter from the refrigerator, and start working with the dough while it’s cold. Roll out the dough, and follow standard lamination techniques to fold the butter into the dough in layers. There are many video tutorials online that demonstrate how to properly laminate croissant dough, which may be helpful as this step can be tricky to explain in writing. - Proof the Croissants:
After laminating, let the croissants proof for about 2 to 2 ½ hours at 27°C with 80% humidity. This ensures the croissants will rise properly and develop those beautiful layers of butter and dough. - Bake the Croissants:
Preheat your convection oven to 165°C (329°F). Brush the croissants with an egg wash to give them a golden, shiny finish, and bake for about 20 minutes or until they are crisp and golden brown.
Enjoy!
