HOW TO MAKE CROISSANTS WITH A STAND MIXER
The flaky layers and buttery aroma of freshly baked croissants are irresistible. While crafting these tender pastries may seem challenging, you can easily make homemade croissants with the help of your stand mixer.
Use this guide to learn how to make croissants in your stand mixer to bring a taste of France into your kitchen.
WHAT ARE CROISSANTS?
Inspired by the Austrian pastry, kipfel, French croissants are a classic pastry that has become an international favorite. This crescent-shaped pastry is made from a yeast-based dough layered with plenty of creamy, rich butter.
The iconic flaky layers are created through a process called lamination, where thin sheets of butter and dough are repeatedly rolled, folded and chilled to distribute the butter, and develop the gluten of the flour in the dough. When the laminated dough bakes in the oven, the moisture from the cold butter turns to steam and puffs the dough into delicate, flaky layers.
HOMEMADE CROISSANT RECIPE
You can elevate your morning coffee, Sunday brunch or afternoon tea with freshly baked croissants. Learn how to make croissants with a stand mixer to temporarily turn your kitchen into a French patisserie.
YIELDS
- 16 servings
INGREDIENTS
All-purpose or bread flour
Dry yeast
Water
Milk
Granulated sugar
Salt
Butter (for creating the dough)
Butter (for lamination)
PREP TIME
- 2 hours and 30 minutes
BAKE TIME
- 20 minutes
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TOOLS
Stand mixer, like the KitchenAid® Deluxe 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Dough hook attachment, like the KitchenAid® Stainless Steel Dough Hook1
Whisk attachment, like the KitchenAid® Wire Whip Attachment1
Rolling pin
Parchment paper
Plastic wrap
Pastry brush
- Pizza cutter
- Baking sheet
TOTAL TIME
- 2 hours and 50 minutes
STEP 1: PREP WORK STATION AND PROOF YEAST
Set your stand mixer on a flat, stable surface, plug it in and attach the whisk attachment. Add dry yeast and water to the mixing bowl, and mix until combined. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
STEP 2: MAKE THE DOUGH
Remove the whisk attachment and secure the dough hook attachment to your stand mixer. Add the flour, sugar, milk, room temperature butter and salt to the stand mixer, and knead on speed 2 until fully combined. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
STEP 3: ROLL OUT THE BUTTER
Thin layers of butter give the croissant its iconic flaky texture. You can create the thin slab of butter needed for lamination with a rolling pin. Place the butter between two pieces of parchment paper and gently roll into flat rectangles with your rolling pin.
STEP 4: LAMINATE THE DOUGH
Roll your pastry dough into a large, flat rectangle with your rolling pin, then place the butter on top. Fold the dough in half and roll flat. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill. After chilling, repeat rolling, folding, and chilling a total of four times.
STEP 5: CHILL THE LAMINATED DOUGH
Cover the laminated dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let your laminated croissant dough chill for at least 30 minutes.
STEP 6: CUT DOUGH AND FORM PASTRIES
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Remove the dough from your refrigerator and roll it out into a flat rectangle. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into triangles. Roll each triangle into a crescent shape, then place each croissant onto a lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg yolk.
STEP 7: BAKE CROISSANTS
Place your croissants in the oven and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F and continue baking for 15–20 minutes, until they’re golden brown.
SHOP KITCHENAID® STAND MIXERS FOR MAKING CROISSANTS
TIPS FOR MAKING CROISSANTS
Making croissants can be a delicate process, but the following tips and tricks can help you make these decadent pastries at home.
Keep everything as cold as possible. Chill the dough between each fold to prevent the butter from melting.
Shape the butter slab into a sharp, level rectangle to make lamination easier and ensure that your croissants have even layers.
If you’re slicing your croissants to serve, use a sharp serrated knife to cut through the flaky layers without crushing them.
CROISSANT RECIPES & IDEAS
Once you’ve conquered the task of making traditional croissants, you can explore different croissant recipes and variations. From pain au chocolat to vegan croissants, explore the following croissant ideas and discover your new favorite way to enjoy this flaky treat.
1. PAIN AU CHOCOLAT
Pain au chocolat is a buttery, sweet and luscious pastry that can be enjoyed for breakfast or dessert. The buttery flavor of the croissant is complemented by the decadent flavor of semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. Slices of chocolate are placed in the center of your croissant dough and gently rolled into a rounded rectangle, ensuring that each bite is rich and luxurious.
2. ALMOND CROISSANTS
Almond croissants are filled with sweet almond filling, or frangipane, and topped with sliced almonds and powdered sugar. The result is a sweet, nutty pastry with an enticing combination of creamy, flaky and crunchy textures.
3. VEGAN CROISSANTS
If you’re dairy free or baking for a friend with dietary restrictions, you can easily adjust your croissant recipe to fit within a vegan diet. Vegan croissants substitute milk and butter with vegan alternatives like plant-based milk and vegan butter substitutes. The flavor may be different from traditional croissants, but you can still achieve a light and airy dough with the right adjustments.
4. PAIN AUX RAISINS
Pain aux raisins falls somewhere between a classic croissant and a rolled pastry like a cinnamon roll or sticky bun. Classic croissant dough is rolled into a round, spiral shape filled with crème pâtissière (pastry cream), raisins, cinnamon and orange zest. Then, it is baked and topped with an orange icing. The result is a rich, citrusy, raisin filled treat that is sure to delight at your next brunch gathering.
5. CROISSANT FRENCH TOAST
If you made more croissants than you needed, you can turn your leftover croissants into a delicious twist on classic French toast. Simply slice your pastries in half and soak them in French toast batter (eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon), then cook them in a skillet until golden brown on each side. Serve with fresh fruit, maple syrup and whipped cream.
HOW DO YOU STORE CROISSANTS?
Though they’re best enjoyed fresh from the oven, you can store leftover croissants and help keep them tasting fresh. Place the pastries in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator or freezer depending on how long you plan to keep them.
To revive your stored croissants, reheat them in the oven at 350ºF for 5–10 minutes or until they’re warmed through and lightly crisp.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® STAND MIXERS AND ATTACHMENTS
Discover new recipes and techniques with the iconic KitchenAid® stand mixer and attachments.1 From pastries to homemade pasta, you can let your creativity shine and indulge in your favorite recipes.
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