
Title:
How to Make Buttery, Flaky Croissants at Home – Easy Step-by-Step Recipe
Meta Description:
Master the art of making croissants at home with this simple guide. Learn how to make buttery, flaky, golden croissants from scratch—even as a beginner!
Introduction
Is there anything more satisfying than biting into a warm, flaky croissant with golden, buttery layers? This iconic French pastry might look complex, but with patience and the right steps, you can make perfect croissants at home—even if it’s your first time baking.
In this post, we’ll walk you through a beginner-friendly croissant recipe using basic ingredients. Whether you want to impress your family or just treat yourself, homemade croissants are worth the effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dough:
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4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
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1/4 cup (50g) sugar
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2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm milk
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2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
Butter Block:
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1 ½ cups (340g) cold unsalted butter (European-style preferred)
Egg Wash:
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1 egg
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1 tablespoon milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
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Mix yeast, sugar, and warm milk. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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Add flour, salt, and melted butter.
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Knead into a soft dough (about 5–8 minutes).
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Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 2: Prepare the Butter Block
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Place butter between two sheets of parchment paper.
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Pound and roll it into a 6×8 inch rectangle.
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Refrigerate until firm but still pliable.
Step 3: Enclose the Butter
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Roll the dough into a 12×8 inch rectangle.
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Place the butter block in the center.
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Fold the dough over the butter like an envelope and seal the edges.
Step 4: Laminate the Dough
This creates the croissant’s signature layers.
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Roll dough into a long rectangle.
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Fold it into thirds (like a letter).
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Chill for 30 minutes.
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Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling each time.
Step 5: Shape the Croissants
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Roll the dough into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
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Cut into long triangles.
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Roll each triangle from the wide base to the tip to form a crescent.
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Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 6: Proof and Bake
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Let the croissants rise at room temperature for 1.5–2 hours until puffy.
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Brush each croissant with egg wash.
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Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and flaky.
Tips for Success
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Keep everything cold: This helps maintain the butter layers.
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Don’t rush the process: Croissants need time to develop texture.
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Use quality butter: It greatly improves flavor and flakiness.
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Let them proof fully: The croissants should nearly double in size before baking.
Final Thoughts
Homemade croissants might take time, but the results are absolutely worth it. Once you master the basics, you can start adding fillings like chocolate, cheese, or ham. Whether served with coffee or enjoyed as a snack, freshly baked croissants always impress.
Love baking at home?
Check out more pastry recipes on our blog — from puff pastry to simple bread rolls!
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