Buttery Croissants from Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen feature flaky, golden layers of tender pastry, delivering a warm, melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs perfectly with savory or sweet fillings.
Equipments
- Stand mixer (with dough hook and paddle attachments)
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet/tray
- Parchment paper
- Plastic wrap
- Kitchen scale
- Bench scraper
- Cooling rack
- Clean kitchen towel
Ingredients
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet, 7g) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) warm whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (340g) cold unsalted butter (for laminating)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Ensure your cold unsalted butter is well-chilled before laminating to achieve flaky, tender layers in the croissant dough. Use room temperature whole milk and softened butter to activate the yeast properly, which helps the dough rise efficiently. Accurate measurements using a kitchen scale will improve consistency and texture. Avoid substituting active dry yeast for instant yeast, as the rising time and dough texture may vary, affecting the final product. Your attempt at Croissants from Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen will come closer to the original when these ingredient details and techniques are carefully followed.
Instructions
- Bloom yeast: Combine warm milk and yeast, let sit until foamy.
- Mix dough: In stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add bloomed yeast mixture, softened butter, and eggs to dry ingredients. Mix with paddle attachment until just combined.
- Switch to dough hook; knead dough until smooth and elastic.
- Shape dough into a rectangle, wrap in plastic, and chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare butter block: Shape cold butter (for laminating) into a flat square between parchment, refrigerate until firm.
- Roll out chilled dough into a large rectangle.
- Place butter block in center of dough, fold dough over butter to encase it.
- Roll out dough and perform first letter fold (fold dough into thirds).
- Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Repeat rolling and folding process (lamination) two more times, chilling 30 minutes between each fold.
- Roll out laminated dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut dough into long triangles using knife or pizza cutter.
- Roll triangles from wide end to point, forming crescent shapes.
- Place croissants on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover loosely with clean kitchen towel, let rise at room temperature until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix egg & water for egg wash, brush over risen croissants.
- Bake croissants until golden brown and flaky (15-20 minutes).
- Transfer to cooling rack. Serve warm.
Substitution
Croissants from Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen copycat recipe recreate the buttery, flaky layers characteristic of the restaurant's signature pastry. You can substitute whole milk with buttermilk or half-and-half for a richer flavor profile, though this may affect the dough's hydration slightly. Unsalted butter is preferred for precise control over salt content, but if only salted butter is available, reduce added salt accordingly. When laminating, chilled butter is essential to achieve distinct layers, so avoid using softened butter for this step to prevent dough becoming greasy. Use parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure even browning during baking.
Tips
Ensure the cold butter used for laminating remains firm throughout the rolling and folding steps to create distinct, flaky layers in your croissants. Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients precisely; small variations in flour or butter weight can affect dough texture and rise. When shaping the dough into rectangles and triangles, maintain consistent thickness to promote even baking and uniform puff. Let your croissants rise until visibly doubled; under-proofing results in dense pastry, while over-proofing can cause collapse during baking.
Nutritions
Buttery Croissants from Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen provide a rich source of carbohydrates primarily from all-purpose flour, which fuels your body with energy. The inclusion of whole milk and eggs contributes to protein content, essential for muscle repair and growth, while unsalted butter adds significant amounts of saturated fats that give the pastries their characteristic flakiness and buttery flavor. These croissants also contain moderate calories per serving, making them a delicious indulgence best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Your choices in portion size will greatly influence the nutritional impact of these flaky pastries on your daily intake.
Storage
Store leftover croissants in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain their flaky texture. For longer storage, freeze croissants wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil; thaw at room temperature before reheating gently in an oven. Your buttery croissants will retain their tender, melt-in-the-mouth quality when stored properly.
Variation or Alternatives
For a variation, substitute whole milk with buttermilk to add a slight tang and enhance dough tenderness. You can also incorporate grated sharp cheddar or herbs like rosemary into the dough for a savory twist. Try using a mix of all-purpose and bread flour (50:50) to increase gluten strength for flakier layers. When laminating, chilling the dough for longer intervals between folds can improve butter firmness and result in more distinct layers in your croissants.
Allergies
Buttery Croissants from Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen contain common allergens such as wheat (all-purpose flour), dairy (unsalted butter and whole milk), and eggs, which may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you have allergies to gluten, lactose, or eggs, it is important to avoid this pastry or seek alternative options. Always inform your server about your specific allergies to ensure your safety when dining out.
Why this recipe?
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Croissants menu features freshly baked, flaky croissants that combine buttery layers with savory or sweet fillings, appealing to diverse taste preferences. These croissants are crafted with high-quality ingredients, ensuring a consistent flavor and texture that set them apart from typical bakery options. You'll find the versatility of Cheddar's croissants perfect for breakfast, snacks, or light meals, making them a satisfying option any time of day. Recreating these recipes at home allows you to enjoy a gourmet experience while customizing ingredients to your liking.