French Croissants: A Buttery and Flaky Recipe for the Classic French Pastry

French Croissants: A Buttery and Flaky Recipe for the Classic French Pastry

Embark on a culinary adventure to France with this delightful recipe for authentic French croissants. These buttery and flaky pastries are a classic treat that will transport you to the streets of Paris with every bite.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and mix it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. In a separate bowl, warm the milk and water until just lukewarm. Add the yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes to activate.
3. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour-butter mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
4. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds like a letter, then roll it out again and fold in thirds. Repeat this process twice.
5. Roll out the dough one last time into a rectangle. Cut it into triangles and roll each triangle into a croissant shape. Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Brush the croissants with the beaten egg wash and let them rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
7. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the croissants for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and flaky.
8. Enjoy your homemade French croissants warm with a spread of butter or jam.

Cooking Tips:

• For best results, use high-quality butter for rich flavor.
• Ensure the butter is cold when incorporating it into the dough to create flaky layers.
• Allow enough time for the dough to rest and rise for maximum flakiness.

Duration:

• Preparation Time: 2 hours
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Serving Size:

Makes 12 croissants

Nutritional Information:

• Calories per serving: 260
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fat: 16g
• Protein: 4g

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate

Tags:

French, Pastry, Breakfast, Brunch, Butter, Flaky

Keywords: French croissants, pastry recipe, buttery croissants, flaky pastry, French cuisine, homemade croissants, breakfast pastries, traditional French recipe, baking