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Weekend Baking French Score: 5.0 / 5 (0 Reviews) • Test Kitchen Verified

Classic French Flaky Croissants

Laminated viennoiserie pastry folded with high-fat cultured butter to create hundreds of delicate, paper-thin golden layers and a honeycomb interior crumb.

Prep Time
60 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
80 min
Calories
310 kcal
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Classic French Flaky Croissants
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12 servings

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (500g)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
  • 2 tsp fine sea salt (10g)
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (7g)
  • 1 ¼ cups cold whole milk (300ml)
  • 1 ¼ cups European cultured butter block (280g), 82% butterfat minimum
  • 1 large egg beaten with 1 tbsp milk for egg wash

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Mix and Chill Détrempe

Mix flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and cold milk into a firm dough ball. Flatten into a rectangle, wrap tightly in plastic, and chill in refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.

2

Prepare Butter Block

Pound chilled European butter between parchment paper sheets into a 7x7-inch flat square block with pliable consistency matching the chilled dough.

3

Laminate Dough

Roll détrempe to 11x11 inches. Encase the butter block diamond-style, seal edges, and perform three consecutive letter-folds with 30-minute refrigerator rests between each fold.

4

Shape, Proof, and Bake

Roll dough to 4mm thickness, cut elongated triangles, and gently roll from base to tip into crescent crescents. Proof at 76°F (24°C) for 2 hours until wobbling like jelly. Brush with egg wash and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18 to 20 minutes until deeply bronzed.

Sensory Doneness Verification

Croissants feel ultra-light when lifted and crackle audibly with multiple shattered crisp buttery flakes upon biting.

Troubleshooting & Testing Notes

Question: Why did butter leak during baking?

Proofing temperature was too warm (exceeded 80°F / 27°C) which melted the butter layers before baking began.

Nutrition Facts

Calculated per 1 serving

Calories 310 kcal
Protein 5g
Total Fat 19g
Carbohydrates 30g
Sodium 260mg

Recommended Equipment

  • Heavy French rolling pin
  • Pizza cutter or chef knife
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper

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