How To Bake A Croissant

Get Ready to Bake Delicious Croissants

Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure and learn how to bake a delicious batch of croissants? Baking croissants from scratch may seem daunting, but with the right guidance and a bit of practice, you can achieve that perfect flaky, buttery croissant that will impress your friends and family. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of baking this classic French pastry.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, cold
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 packet active dry yeast

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut 1/2 cup of the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, mix the warm water, milk, and yeast. Add this mixture to the flour and butter, and knead the dough until it becomes smooth. Shape the dough into a rectangle, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Create the Butter Layer

While the dough is chilling, take the remaining 1 cup of cold butter and place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to pound the butter into a 7×10-inch rectangle. Place this butter layer back in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

Step 3: Laminate the Dough

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface into a 10×15-inch rectangle. Place the cold butter layer on two-thirds of the dough, then fold the unbuttered third over the butter, and the other third over the top, like folding a letter. This creates the first “turn.” Rotate the dough 90 degrees, roll it out again into a 10×15-inch rectangle, and fold it into thirds. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat this process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each turn.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

After the final chill, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into triangles, then make a small cut at the base of each triangle. Roll the triangles up, starting from the base and curving the ends to form the classic croissant shape. Place the shaped croissants on a baking sheet, cover them with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once the croissants have risen, brush them with an egg wash and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and flaky.

Enjoy Your Homemade Croissants

Once you pull those golden, flaky croissants out of the oven, you’ll be greeted with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pastries. Let them cool for a few minutes, then indulge in the fruits of your labor. Whether you enjoy them plain, with a dollop of jam, or as the base for a breakfast sandwich, your homemade croissants are sure to be a hit. Bon appétit!