Easy 7-Step Croissants Recipe: Buttery & Flaky Perfection

Summary

Mastering croissants at home may seem daunting, but this Easy 7-Step Croissants Recipe breaks down the process into manageable parts, guiding you to create golden, buttery, and flaky pastries right in your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack, these homemade croissants rival your favorite bakery’s. With simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll be rewarded with soft, layered pastries that melt in your mouth.

Prep Time: 1 hour (plus 4 hours chilling & proofing)

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 croissants
Calories: 275 per croissant

Course

• Breakfast
• Brunch
• Snack

Cuisine

• French

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

For the Butter Layer:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold

For the Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp milk

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Pastry brush
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter

Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar.
• Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

2. Make the Dough

• In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
• Add the yeast mixture and softened butter.
• Knead until the dough is smooth (about 8-10 minutes).
• Cover and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.