Croissants

Croissant

File:Croissant.jpg A freshly baked croissant
Type	Pastry
Place of origin	Austria
Main ingredients	Flour, butter, yeast, milk, sugar, salt
Variations	Pain au chocolat, almond croissant
Cookbook: Croissant   Media: Croissant

A croissant is a buttery, flaky, and crescent-shaped pastry of Austrian origin, named for its historical crescent shape. Croissants are made from a laminated dough, which involves folding butter into the dough multiple times to create thin layers. This process results in a light, airy, and layered texture.

History

The croissant's origins can be traced back to the kipferl, a crescent-shaped bread from Austria. The modern croissant, however, is often associated with France, where it became popular in the early 19th century. The introduction of the croissant to France is credited to Marie Antoinette, who was of Austrian descent and brought the recipe with her when she married Louis XVI.

Preparation

The preparation of croissants involves a labor-intensive process known as lamination. The dough is made from flour, butter, yeast, milk, sugar, and salt. The dough is rolled out and folded multiple times with butter to create layers. This process is repeated several times to achieve the desired flakiness. The dough is then shaped into a crescent, proofed, and baked until golden brown.

Variations

There are several variations of the croissant, including:

• Pain au chocolat: A croissant filled with chocolate.
• Almond croissant: A croissant filled with almond paste and topped with sliced almonds.
• Ham and cheese croissant: A savory version filled with ham and cheese.

Cultural Significance

Croissants are a staple of French cuisine and are commonly enjoyed as a breakfast item or snack. They are often served with coffee or hot chocolate. In France, croissants are typically enjoyed fresh from a boulangerie (bakery).

Related Pages

• Pastry
• French cuisine
• Boulangerie
• Pain au chocolat
• Marie Antoinette
• Lamination (baking)

See Also

• List of pastries
• List of French dishes