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Classic Croissant Buns

These Classic Croissant Buns combine the flaky, buttery texture of traditional croissants with a soft bun format, offering a delightful treat that is fun to make and customize.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 6 tbsp lukewarm milk Make sure it's not too hot to kill the yeast!
  • 2 tsp Saf-Instant Yeast Grab for instant yeast; it’s super easy to work with.
  • 2/3 cup flour (for preferment) King Arthur’s Bread Flour works best for texture.
  • 1 cup milk (for dough) Full-fat milk lends richness.
  • 3 cups King Arthur Bread Flour Best for making these buns incredibly fluffy.
  • 3.5 tbsp sugar Sweetness is what we crave!
  • 2.5 tsp salt Essential for flavor balance.
  • 0.5 tbsp vanilla extract Adds a warm note to the dough.
  • 1/2 tbsp softened butter For enriching the dough!
  • 22 tbsp unsalted butter (cold, for butter block) Use high-quality butter for best flavor.
  • 3 tbsp melted butter (for coating) To brush the buns before baking.
For the Filling
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar Sweetens the filling beautifully.
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar Brings moisture and depth to the sweet mixture.
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated orange zest For a fragrant zing!
  • 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon Cozy spice that melds perfectly with sugar.
  • 1/4 tsp salt (for filling) Brightens the flavors.

Method
 

Creating the Poolish
  1. In a bowl, combine 6 tbsp lukewarm milk, 2 tsp Saf-Instant Yeast, and 2/3 cup flour. Cover and let it rest for 2-3 hours, or overnight in the fridge for maximum flavor.
Mixing the Dough
  1. Into the poolish, add 1 cup milk, 3 cups King Arthur Bread Flour, 3.5 tbsp sugar, 2.5 tsp salt, 0.5 tbsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 tbsp softened butter. Stir until incorporated, let it rest for about 30 minutes, then knead until smooth and elastic (5-10 minutes). Let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
Preparing the Butter Block
  1. While your dough rises, beat the chilled butter (22 tbsp) with a rolling pin between parchment paper until it spreads out into a rectangle. Chill again to keep cold.
Laminating the Dough
  1. Roll your risen dough into a rectangle large enough to encase the butter block. Layer the butter, fold the dough like a book, and roll out again. Repeat the folding and rolling process 3-4 times, chilling for 30 minutes between each round.
Preparing the Filling
  1. In a bowl, mix together 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp freshly grated orange zest, 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt.
Assembling the Buns
  1. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle, brush with 3 tbsp of melted butter, and sprinkle the filling evenly. Roll into a log, cut sections, and place in a muffin tin to rise for about 30 minutes.
Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the buns for 45-60 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool upside down for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Store these buns at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze wrapped in plastic for up to 2 months. You can prepare the dough and store in the fridge overnight.