A morning cup of coffee paired with a golden croissant is the perfect breakfast option! Moreover, the preparation of this crispy pastry does not require any special skill. All you need is a little patience, because the puff pastry must be in the refrigerator before use, and a pinch of good mood for everything to turn out delicious. We share with you simple recipes and tips for baking sweet and savory croissants.
How to Make the Perfect Croissants: tips
I must admit that this is a tricky pastry, so catch a few tricks to help you make beautiful and delicious croissants:
- Use oil with a high percentage of fat content – at least 82%;
- Mix the dough slowly, because excess air can ruin perfect pastries;
- Before sending goodies to the oven, do not forget to grease them with an egg or warm milk;
- Be sure to let the dough stand in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes;
- Roll out the dough at least 5 times;
- Do not put chocolate in whole pieces – it is better to grate it
- If you decide to make a berry filling, then do not add a lot of sugar to it, otherwise, the croissants will not be tasty.
Remember these simple and proven life hacks, because they will come in handy while baking.
1. Classic croissants without filling
A real croissant from world culinary masters does not contain a filling. These crispy and airy pastries are incredibly delicious on their own. However, it is an excellent base for a variety of desserts and sandwiches. So catch the recipe for puff pastry for croissants.
Let’s start with the ingredients:
- 3 glasses of premium flour;
- 200 ml of warm milk;
- 200 g butter (82%);
- 50 g of pressed yeast;
- 1 chicken egg;
- 50 g of sugar;
- ⅓ tsp salt.
Cooking will take some time, but it is not difficult:
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk.
- Put in the mixture 5 tbsp. flour and send it to heat for 40 minutes.
- Grind the cooled butter on a coarse grater and, until it has melted, add to the mixture of all the ingredients and knead the dough.
- Send the dough to the refrigerator overnight. If there is no time, then keep it in the cold for at least 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough 2-5 times, folding it into at least 4 layers and cut into several triangles.
- Roll the resulting triangles into a tube, starting from the wide edge to the very tip.
- Let the croissants rise warm for 10 minutes.
- Start baking at 200 degrees for the first 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 180 and hold for another 20 minutes.
Serve crispy croissants with coffee right away or make an incision on one side and add sweet or savory toppings to taste.
2. Croissants with chocolate
Treat yourself to a gourmet breakfast with a chocolate croissant and a cup of your favorite coffee!
Prepare in the evening:
- 2 sheets of sheet dough;
- 200 g dark chocolate;
- 1 chicken egg;
- 60 g of powdered sugar;
- some flour for rolling.
Start cooking in a good mood so that the pastries are delicious-tasty:
- Thinly roll out the pre-prepared dough and cut it into three pieces.
- Put the grated chocolate in the base and carefully wrap it in the shape of a crescent.
- Beat the egg and brush it on the croissants for a crispy crust.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and bake until golden appetizing.
- Let the croissants cool slightly and sprinkle with powdered sugar while warm.
Do you already feel their dizzying aroma? Then get ready to cook!
3. Croissants with chicken salad
There is nothing tastier than a homemade croissant with a juicy filling of fresh herbs, meat, vegetables, and grapes! Do you know what’s perfect for him? A glass of cold white wine. Just an incredible combination on a hot day while relaxing in the park or driving out of town.
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For a weekend with a small company, it will be enough for you:
- 5 croissants;
- 2 pieces of chicken fillet;
- 150 g homemade mayonnaise;
- 120 g of hard cheese;
- 1 large tomato;
- spinach leaves;
- sprig of red grapes;
- 2 tbsp Sahara.
Preparing our salad dressing:
- Boil and cool the chicken fillet.
- Cut the meat into small cubes.
- In a deep bowl, combine the fillet, grated cheese, sugar, and fresh spinach leaves and season with light homemade mayonnaise.
- Add chopped grapes (adjust to your liking).
- In the end, put tomato slices in the salad, as it releases the juice the most.
- Cut the pre-baked croissants with a sharp knife on one side so that you can open it and put the filling inside.
We are sure that mouth-watering croissants will certainly become your favorite treat! Write in the comments which option you liked the most and share your secrets of the perfect croissants.
FAQs
How long do croissants take to bake?
Croissants typically take about 15-20 minutes to bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). However, the baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of the croissants. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven when they turn golden brown.
Can I freeze croissants?
Yes, you can freeze croissants for future use. After baking, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them at room temperature and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their freshness.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While it’s recommended to use butter for the authentic taste and texture of croissants, you can substitute margarine if needed. However, keep in mind that the flavor and texture may differ slightly.
How do I store leftover croissants?
To store leftover croissants, allow them to cool completely and then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, freeze them as mentioned above.
Can I make savory croissants?
Absolutely! Croissants are versatile and can be filled with various savory ingredients like cheese, ham, or spinach. Simply adjust the filling and follow the same rolling and baking process for a delicious savory twist.
