Flaky Homemade Croissants

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) water, warmed to 100°F
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) whole milk
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups (455 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups (397 g) cold unsalted butter
• 1 egg, for egg wash
• 1 egg yolk, for egg wash

Instructions

1. Stir the water, yeast, and a pinch of the sugar together in a small bowl; set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, whisk the milk, cream, egg yolk, salt, and remaining sugar together. 
3. Add the flour then turn the mixer on low speed and gradually pour the yeast mixture into the flour. 
4. Continue to beat on low until the flour is incorporated, stop and scrape down the sides and bottom as needed. Continue beating until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, pound the butter between 2 pieces of parchment paper into an 8-inch square. Make sure the butter is in an even layer. Place the butter into the refrigerator to firm up.
6. Generously flour your work surface and turn the dough out. Roll the dough out into a 9x18 rectangle.
7. Place the chilled square of butter on one half of the dough and fold the other half of the dough up over the butter so you end up with a square.
8. Gently roll the dough with the butter inside into another rectangle. Fold the rectangle like a letter so you have 3 layers, starting with the narrow end. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This is the first turn.
9. Turn the dough so the long sides are on your left and right. Roll the dough into another rectangle about the same size then fold it the same way as the previous step. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Repeat this process until you have made 4 turns.
10. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 12-24 hours. The dough must be shaped and proofed within 24 hours.
11. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the dough in half and roll each half into a 6x12 inch rectangle.
12. Transfer each rectangle to its own prepared baking sheet. Trim the edges so they are even and refrigerate for 20 minutes. The dough should be firm but not brittle.
13. Use a large knife to cut each rectangle into 6 triangles. Make a small cut at the center of the base on each triangle.
14. Begin rolling up the croissants, curling the two side fo the triangle on each side of the cut away from each other. Continue to roll with both hands until the tip is underneath. Bend the 2 ends toward each other in the shape of a crescent.
15. Arrange the croissants on the baking sheets, cover them with plastic wrap and set them in a warm place to rise until they've doubled in size, about 1 hour.
16. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Beat the egg and egg yolk together until well broken up and brush the egg wash over the tops of each croissant.
17. Bake for 35 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature before serving.

Make ahead tip

1. Store croissants in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature. Or up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
2. Croissant can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as desired.

Notes

Don't let the dough wait too long between turns or the yeast will over ferment and the croissants won't rise properly.

Keep the dough cold! This will also help slow the yeast down.

After the 4th turn, the dough must be shaped and proofed within 24 hours.

Adapted by Baking: James Peterson.

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