By Sarah Fertsch
This Mother’s Day, skip the store-bought pastries and make her something truly special—warm, buttery croissants straight from your oven. After all, croissants—like birth—are a labor of love. Sure, they take time and patience, but the payoff is golden, flaky perfection that’s more than worth the effort. And unlike the sleepless nights of motherhood, these croissants come with a happy ending… and plenty of butter.
Imagine serving these fresh, warm croissants with a steaming cup of coffee or tea, all while she relaxes in the comfort of her home. Whether you surprise her with breakfast in bed or serve them at a leisurely family brunch, homemade croissants are a thoughtful and indulgent way to show how much you care. With each delicate, buttery layer, you’ll remind her of how special she is and how much she deserves to be pampered on her day.
Baking croissants may take a little patience, but trust us—the effort is well worth it. This year, treat mom to a gift that’s both heartfelt and delicious.
The classic croissant
This recipe is perfect for advanced bakers or any beginner up for a challenge. Croissants put a new meaning on labor of love, and you’ll taste every succulent layer of it.
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup of milk, room temperature
- ¼ cup of water, room temperature
- 1 tsp of honey
- 2 tsp of dry yeast
- 3 cups of butter, room temperature
- 2 tsp of salt
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 tsp of white sugar
Instructions:
1. Prepare the dough (Detrempe):
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
Pour the warm milk into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
Add the melted butter and mix until the dough starts to come together.
Knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth.
Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
2. Prepare the butter block (Beurrage):
While the dough is rising, prepare the butter block. Take the cold butter and place it between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap.
Use a rolling pin to pound and roll the butter into a 7-inch square, making sure it’s evenly spread.
Once the butter is rolled out, chill it in the fridge while the dough finishes rising.
3. Laminate the dough (rolling and folding):
After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 10 inches by 20 inches (25cm by 50cm).
Place the chilled butter block in the center of the dough rectangle. Fold the dough over the butter so that the butter is fully enclosed.
Now, roll the dough out gently into a long rectangle, about 8 inches by 24 inches (20cm by 60cm).
Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter. This is called a “single fold.” Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Make additional folds:
Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out again into a long rectangle.
Fold it into thirds again (like a letter), and chill for another 30 minutes.
Repeat this process of rolling and folding two more times (for a total of 4 folds), ensuring the dough stays cold and well-laminated with butter.
5. Shape the croissants
After the final fold and chill, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch (0.6cm) thick.
Cut the dough into long triangles, approximately 4 inches wide at the base.
To shape the croissants, make a small slit at the base of each triangle, then gently roll the dough from the wide end toward the point, forming a crescent shape.
Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each one to allow for expansion.
6. Proof the croissants:
Cover the croissants with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise at room temperature for about 1–1.5 hours, or until they have puffed up and doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) while the croissants are proofing.
7. Apply egg wash:
Once the croissants are fully proofed, make the egg wash by whisking together the egg and milk.
Gently brush the tops of the croissants with the egg wash, being careful not to deflate the dough.
8. Bake the croissants:
Place the croissants in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
9. Cool and serve:
Once baked, remove the croissants from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on a wire rack.
Serve warm, or allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Tips for the perfect bake:
Keep the dough cold: The key to flaky, buttery layers is to keep the dough and butter cold during the entire process. If at any point the dough gets too warm, return it to the fridge for a rest.
Use high-quality butter: Since butter is the star of this recipe, using good-quality, European-style butter will make a big difference in flavor and texture.
Don’t rush the process: Croissants take time, so allow for the dough to rise, fold and rest properly to ensure the best results.
Serving tips for the perfect croissants:
Once you’ve baked your golden croissants, the fun doesn’t stop there—how you serve them is just as important as how you make them. Here are a few tips to elevate the experience and make this Mother’s Day even more special:
1. Serve them fresh and warm: Croissants are best enjoyed right out of the oven, so time your baking to ensure they’re still warm when you present them. If you make them ahead of time, warm them up in the oven for 5–10 minutes before serving to revive their crispiness.
2. Pair with sweet and savory: While croissants are delicious on their own, you can take them to the next level with a few thoughtful pairings. Offer a selection of jams—like strawberry, apricot or raspberry—or a dollop of clotted cream for a decadent treat. For a savory touch, serve them with soft cheeses, smoked salmon or a simple spread of honey butter.
3. Accompany with coffee or tea: A croissant is never truly complete without a warm drink to accompany it. Brew a fresh pot of her favorite coffee or tea. For a Mother’s Day touch, why not serve a light herbal tea or a fragrant jasmine tea to complement the buttery richness of the croissant?
4. Create a beautiful setting: Presentation matters! Arrange the croissants on a lovely platter or in a basket lined with a linen cloth. Add a few sprigs of fresh flowers or set the scene with a small vase of fresh blooms to create a charming Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch setting.
5. Make it a croissant feast: If you’re feeling extra creative, you can mix things up by filling the croissants with chocolate, almond paste or fresh fruit before rolling them up. You can even make mini croissants or pain au chocolat for a variety of options.
Whether you serve them in bed, on the patio or at the breakfast table, croissants have a way of turning any moment into something special. This Mother’s Day, your homemade croissants will be more than just a treat—they’ll be a heartfelt gesture that shows just how much you appreciate the labor of love she gives every day.
