There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked croissants wafting through your kitchen. Flaky, golden, and buttery, croissants are a timeless treat that instantly elevates any breakfast or snack. But what if I told you that you can make these heavenly pastries right at home?
In this post, I’ll guide you step-by-step through a recipe for Italian-style croissants, soft and filled with creamy custard, rich chocolate, or fruity jam. 🍮🍫🍓 Whether you’re treating yourself, impressing guests, or simply indulging in a quiet moment of sweetness, these croissants are the perfect way to bring a touch of luxury to your day.
Here’s the recipe with added emoticons for a fun and engaging style:
Ingredients for about 12 croissants 🥐
For the dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (500 g) 🌾
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g) 🍬
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet, or 7 g) 🧫
- 3/4 cup warm milk (200 ml) 🥛
- 3 tbsp warm water (50 ml) 💧
- 5 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (80 g) 🧈
- 1 large egg 🥚
- 1/2 tsp salt 🧂
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 packet of vanilla sugar 🌸
- Optional: Zest of 1 lemon or orange 🍋🍊
For the filling:
- Pastry cream: 3/4 cup (200 g) 🍮
- Chocolate: 3.5 oz (100 g) chopped dark or milk chocolate 🍫
- Jam: 2/3 cup (150 g) of your favorite jam 🍓🍑
For the topping:
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 2 tbsp milk 🥚🥛
- Granulated or powdered sugar for garnish 🍥
Instructions
1. Prepare the dough:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar 🍬 and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour 🌾, sugar 🍬, salt 🧂, and vanilla 🌸. Add the warm milk 🥛, yeast mixture, egg 🥚, and zest 🍋 (if using).
- Knead in the softened butter 🧈. Mix for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours (until doubled).
2. Shape the croissants:
- Punch down the dough and roll it into a large circle, about 1/4 inch thick. 🪄
- Cut the circle into 12 triangles (like pizza slices) 🍕.
- Add a small amount of filling (cream 🍮, chocolate 🍫, or jam 🍓) to the base of each triangle. Roll up from the wide end to form the croissant 🥐.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and let rise again for 30-45 minutes. ⏳
3. Bake the croissants:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) 🔥.
- Brush the croissants with the egg yolk + milk mixture 🥚🥛 for a shiny finish.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden and puffed 🌟.
- Let cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar 🍥 if desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade croissants that can be served with cappuccino too for an authentic Italian breakfast! 🥐✨