Experience the flaky, buttery goodness of homemade French croissants with this incredible ultimate recipe. Perfect for breakfast or brunch!

Scale

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsalted butter

cold

1/2 cup whole milk

warm

1/2 cup water

warm

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast

1 large egg (for egg wash)

In a large bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, granulated sugar, and instant yeast; let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
In another bowl, mix all-purpose flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth. Form into a ball, cover, and let rise for 2 hours until doubled in size.
Roll the chilled butter into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick and place it in the center of the rolled-out dough. Fold the dough over the butter to encase it.
Roll out the dough again into a larger rectangle, then fold into thirds. Repeat this rolling and folding process two more times, chilling in between if necessary.
Cut the dough into triangles and roll each triangle from the wide end to the tip to form a croissant shape.
Place the shaped croissants on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Brush the croissants with the beaten egg for an egg wash, then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Make sure to keep the butter cold for a flaky texture. Chill the dough if it becomes too warm during the rolling process.

Keywords: Homemade French Croissant, Croissant Recipe, Baking, Pastry, Desserts