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Croissant Bread Recipe

4.7 from 122 reviews

This Croissant Bread recipe transforms the classic flaky, buttery croissant into a convenient pull-apart loaf, perfect for breakfast or a decadent snack. The dough is enriched with butter and gently layered to create tender, airy layers that bake into a golden, crispy crust. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe brings the irresistible taste and texture of croissants into an easy-to-slice bread form.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk, warm (around 110°F/43°C)
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Butter Layer

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (about 2 sticks)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar in the warm milk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. Add the remaining sugar, flour, and salt to the bowl, then mix and knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  2. Layer with Butter: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, approximately 12 by 16 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly across the dough rectangle. Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, then roll out again to the original size and fold once more. This layering technique creates the flaky texture reminiscent of croissants.
  3. Bake Until Flaky: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the layered dough into a greased loaf pan, adjusting it so it fills the pan evenly. Let it rest for 20 minutes to rise slightly. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and flakey on top. Remove from oven, cool slightly, then slice and serve.

Notes

  • Use cold butter for layering to achieve distinct flakey layers.
  • Allow dough to rise fully for best texture and flavor.
  • Use a sharp serrated knife to slice to maintain flaky structure without squashing.
  • This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Keywords: croissant bread, flaky bread, layered butter bread, pull apart bread, breakfast bread, French bread recipe