There is something joyous and almost celebratory about freshly baked buttery croissants, with their delightful delicate layers. It could be because croissants have truly a legendary origin: The very pastry that would later evolve into a croissant as we know today was baked to celebrate the end of the Vienna siege by the Turks. A century later a Viennese businessman would set up shop in Paris and the local French bakers would elevate croissants by introducing layering yeast dough with butter technique thus creating the quintessential French breakfast pastry.
72 Hours in the Making
Making a proper croissant is considered a benchmark for a chef due to the technical skills, precision, and patience required to pull one off. A small mistake could very well ruin the final product. You need the perfect butter temperature, even rolls of dough to avoid tearing, with precise folding for structural integrity. And the whole time you need to be moving faster than butter melts.
“The way I bake croissants now is very different from how I did it 20 years ago or even 10 years ago,” explains Rakesh Nayak, Chef and Creative Director at Mister Croissant Bakery and Cafe, who spent years honing his skills, baking thousands of croissants for Parisians.
In explaining what goes into Mister Croissant Bakery’s creation, he says “it takes 72 hours to make our croissants.” The dough takes 16 hours alone to make, with many more hours of rising and lamination, which involves encasing a block of butter in the dough and folding it over and over again to create alternating layers of dough and butter.
By the end of the three-day effort Mister Croissant Bakery’s customers get to enjoy a golden and glossy on the outside, with a deep, even color that promises buttery richness, croissants. When you pick it up, it feels light for its size, a sign of proper lamination and airy layers inside. These croissants taste buttery without being greasy, with a lightly crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, tender center. Each bite strikes the ideal balance of flakiness, airiness, and melt-in-your-mouth richness.
“As you tear the croissant open, it crackles delicately, revealing these thin, translucent layers of pastry folded over one another and the aroma is just so warm and comforting to me,” shares one of the Mister Croissant Bakery and Cafe’s customers.
The Crown Jewel: Pistachio Croissant
“While adhering to the traditional way of making croissants, I’ve added my rich flavor twists.”
You’ll find, among other goodies in the quaint Middletown location, a specialty of Rakesh’s: the pistachio croissant.
“Back when I was working in Houston, I created a pistachio croissant recipe that went on to win multiple Best Pistachio Croissant awards. So some of our customers started calling me Mister Croissant,” Rakesh says with a smile.
A Perfect Flavor Match for Every Croissant Fan
Croissants are notoriously hard to make but at Mister Croissant Bakery and Cafe you can find them in any variety you need; from Chicken Sandwiches to Chocolate Crusted Banana Filled. You’ll find them in a Box shape or even as Buns. Enjoy your croissant alongside your favorite coffee or tea for a moment of pure flavor and joy.
