Classic Croissants (Butter Lamination Technique)

Classic Croissants (Butter Lamination Technique) is a medium French recipe that serves 12. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by Leonel Maxlhaieie on YouTube.

Prep: 11 hrs 15 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 12 hrs 5 min

Cost: $8.60 total, $0.72 per serving

Ingredients

  • 500 g Bread flour (High‑protein flour for strength)
  • 250 g Unsalted butter (for dough) (Softened for mixing into dough)
  • 250 g Unsalted butter (for butter block) (Cold, cut into a 1‑cm thick square)
  • 250 ml Whole milk (Room temperature)
  • 150 ml Water (Cold)
  • 50 g Granulated sugar
  • 10 g Salt
  • 10 g Active dry yeast (About 2 tsp)
  • 1 Egg (for egg wash) (Beaten)
  • 1 tbsp Milk (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Combine dry ingredients

    In a mixing bowl whisk together bread flour, sugar, salt, and active dry yeast.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Add wet ingredients and form dough

    Add milk, water, softened butter, and the beaten egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand or with a mixer for about 5‑7 minutes until smooth.

    Time: PT15M

  3. First rest (bulk fermentation)

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

    Time: PT30M

  4. Chill dough

    Flatten the dough into a rectangle, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

    Time: PT1H

  5. Prepare butter block

    Place the 250 g cold butter between two sheets of parchment and pound it into a 1‑cm thick square (about 15 cm × 15 cm). Wrap and chill in the freezer for at least 4 hours (overnight preferred).

    Time: PT10M

  6. First lamination (turn 1)

    On a lightly floured surface roll the chilled dough into a 30 cm × 30 cm square. Place the butter block in the centre, fold the dough over the butter (like an envelope), seal edges, then roll out to a 60 cm × 20 cm rectangle. Fold the rectangle into thirds (letter fold).

    Time: PT10M

  7. Chill after first turn

    Wrap the folded dough in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.

    Time: PT1H

  8. Second lamination (turn 2)

    Roll the chilled dough into a 60 cm × 20 cm rectangle again, then fold into thirds.

    Time: PT10M

  9. Chill after second turn

    Wrap and refrigerate for another 1 hour.

    Time: PT1H

  10. Third lamination (turn 3)

    Roll out the dough one final time to a 60 cm × 20 cm rectangle and fold into thirds.

    Time: PT10M

  11. Final chill

    Wrap the dough and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 hours) before shaping.

    Time: PT1H

  12. Shape croissants

    Roll the dough to about 3 mm thickness. Cut triangles (≈12 cm base). Starting at the base, roll tightly toward the tip to form a crescent shape. Place on parchment‑lined baking sheets, tip side down.

    Time: PT20M

  13. Proof

    Cover the tray loosely with plastic and let the croissants rise at 25 °C (77 °F) for 1½ hours, until doubled in size.

    Time: PT1H30M

    Temperature: 25°C

  14. Egg wash

    Brush each croissant lightly with beaten egg mixed with 1 tbsp milk.

    Time: PT5M

  15. Bake

    Preheat the oven to 190 °C (375 °F). Bake the croissants for 15‑20 minutes, until deep golden brown and crisp.

    Time: PT20M

    Temperature: 190°C

  16. Cool and serve

    Transfer baked croissants to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
250
Protein
5 g
Carbohydrates
30 g
Fat
12 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, Contains dairy, Contains egg, low-calorie

Allergens: Wheat, Dairy, Egg

Last updated: March 21, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

Classic Croissants (Butter Lamination Technique)

Recipe by Leonel Maxlhaieie

A step‑by‑step guide to making buttery, flaky French croissants at home using the lamination method. Includes tips on keeping butter cold, proper folding, proofing, and baking for perfect layers every time.

MediumFrenchServes 12

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
7h 25m
Prep
30m
Cook
57m
Cleanup
8h 52m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$8.60
Total cost
$0.72
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Keeping the butter block and dough consistently cold during lamination.
  • Accurate 1‑hour chilling intervals after each fold.
  • Gentle handling while rolling to avoid tearing the dough.
  • Proper proofing temperature (≈25 °C) to achieve lift without over‑proofing.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle hot oven and baking sheets with oven mitts.
  • Use a sharp knife or bench scraper carefully when cutting dough.
  • Cold butter can be slippery; keep hands dry to avoid slips.

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

5 Simple Professional Cake & Cupcake Decorating Techniques (with Swiss Meringue Buttercream)
13

5 Simple Professional Cake & Cupcake Decorating Techniques (with Swiss Meringue Buttercream)

Learn five impressively simple ways to decorate cakes and cupcakes using Swiss meringue buttercream: ice cream scoop domes, ruffled collar cakes, two-tone soft-serve swirls, ombre color effects, and beautiful buttercream roses. These techniques require minimal specialized equipment and will make your baked goods look bakery-quality at home.

1 hr 10 minServes 12$19
American
5 Simple Professional Cake & Cupcake Decorating Techniques (with Swiss Meringue Buttercream)
8

5 Simple Professional Cake & Cupcake Decorating Techniques (with Swiss Meringue Buttercream)

Learn five impressively simple ways to decorate cakes and cupcakes using Swiss meringue buttercream: ice cream scoop domes, ruffled collar cakes, two-tone soft-serve swirls, ombre color effects, and beautiful buttercream roses. These techniques require minimal specialized equipment and will make your baked goods look bakery-quality at home.

1 hr 10 minServes 12$19
American
Homemade puff pastry – lamination technique
18

Homemade puff pastry – lamination technique

Learn to make a traditional puff pastry by following each step of the détrempe process, preparing the butter block and the four double folds. This detailed recipe guides you from the initial mixing to the final rest, to obtain a light and crisp dough ready to be used for croissants, mille-feuille or tarts.

5 hrs 17 minServes 8$4
French
All‑Butter Croissants (Classic French Pastry)
24

All‑Butter Croissants (Classic French Pastry)

A step‑by‑step weekend project for perfect, flaky French croissants. The recipe uses a high‑protein flour, European‑style butter, and a two‑day lamination process that yields buttery, airy crescents ready for sweet or savory fillings.

22 hrs 30 minServes 8$5
French
Hand‑Laminate Butter Croissants
9

Hand‑Laminate Butter Croissants

A step‑by‑step guide to making classic French butter croissants completely by hand. The recipe covers mixing a yeasted dough, creating a cold butter block, multiple folds with chilling, shaping, overnight proofing, and baking to a golden, flaky finish.

19 hrs 25 minServes 12$4
French
Croissants - Food Wishes - Crispy Butter Croissants
2

Croissants - Food Wishes - Crispy Butter Croissants

Learn how to make buttery, flaky French croissants at home using Chef John’s simplified Food Wishes method. This recipe walks you through yeast activation, dough preparation, lamination with multiple folds, proofing, and baking for golden‑brown pastries that taste like they came from a Parisian bakery.

6 hrs 30 minServes 8$8
French