Homemade Croissants Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm milk
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
   • In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
   • Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
2. Chill the Dough:
   • Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Prepare the Butter:
   • While the dough is chilling, prepare the butter block. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and place it between two sheets of parchment paper.
   • Use a rolling pin to flatten the butter into a rectangular shape, about 1/2 inch thick. Chill the butter block in the refrigerator until firm.
4. Laminate the Dough:
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a large rectangle.
   • Place the cold butter block in the center of the dough and fold the dough over the butter, enclosing it completely.
   • Roll out the dough into a large rectangle again, then fold it into thirds, like a letter. This is the first fold.
   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Repeat the Folding Process:
   • Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each fold.
6. Shape the Croissants:
   • After the final fold, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
   • Cut the dough into triangles (about 4 inches wide at the base and 8 inches tall).
   • Starting from the base of each triangle, roll the dough towards the tip to form a croissant shape. Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Proof the Croissants:
   • Cover the croissants with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until they have doubled in size.
8. Bake the Croissants:
   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash.
   • Brush the risen croissants with the egg wash.
   • Bake the croissants in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and flaky.
9. Cool and Serve:
   • Remove the croissants from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
   • Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy your homemade croissants, which are buttery, flaky, and perfect for breakfast or a special treat!