Quick and Easy Crescent Rolls
Our simplified version of the croissant eliminates the need to roll in layers of butter, not to mention extra fat.
Yield: 24-40 rolls
Ingredients
Medium loaf (1½-lb bread machine)
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup evaporated milk
- 3 Tbsp butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1½ tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 package (2¼ tsp, ¼oz, 7g) RED STAR Active Dry Yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- Egg Wash: 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water
Large loaf (2-lb bread machine)
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- ¼ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp salt
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 packages (4½ tsp, 14g) RED STAR Active Dry Yeast
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- Egg Wash: 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water
Instructions
Bread Machine Method
- Have liquid ingredients at 80°F and all other ingredients at room temperature. Place ingredients in pan in the order specified in your owner’s manual. Select dough/manual cycle. Do not use delay timer. At the end of the last kneading cycle, press STOP/CLEAR, remove dough and proceed with rising, shaping and baking instructions. Check dough consistency after 5 minutes of kneading. The dough should be in a soft, tacky ball. If it is dry and stiff, add water, ½ to 1 tablespoon at a time. If it is too wet and sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time. See our Bread Machine section for more helpful tips and information.
Mixer Methods
- Hand-Held Mixer Method: Combine yeast, 1 cup flour, and other dry ingredients. Combine water and milk; heat to 120-130°F. Combine dry mixture and liquid ingredients, and butter in mixing bowl on low speed. Beat 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed. Add egg; beat 1 minute. By hand, stir in enough remaining flour to make a firm dough. Knead on floured surface 5 to 7 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Use additional flour if necessary.
- Stand Mixer Method: Combine yeast, 1 cup flour, and other dry ingredients. Combine water and milk; heat to 120-130°F. Combine dry mixture, liquid ingredients, and butter in mixing bowl with paddle or beaters for 4 minutes on medium speed. Add egg; beat 1 minute. Gradually add remaining flour and knead with dough hook(s) 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Food Processor Method: Combine yeast, 1 cup flour, and other dry ingredients. Combine water and milk; heat to 120-130°F. Put dry mixture in processing bowl with steel blade. While motor is running, add liquid ingredients, butter and egg. Process until mixed. Continue processing, adding remaining flour until dough forms a ball.
Rising, Shaping and Baking
- Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, then let dough sit on counter for 30-45 minutes. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead about 6 times to release air bubbles. Divide into 3 parts for medium batch, 4 parts for large batch. Roll each part into a 14-inch circle. With a sharp knife, cut into 8 or 10 pie-shaped wedges. Starting with wide edge, roll each wedge toward the point. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, point side down, and curve into crescent shape. Cover; let rise until indentation remains after touching. Egg Wash: Whisk egg and water together; brush over crescent rolls . Bake in preheated 350°F oven 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheets and cool.
- Recipe featured at Completely Delicious.
Notes
You can substitute Instant (fast-rising) yeast for Active Dry Yeast. Traditional methods- replace 1:1. Expect your dough to rise faster; always let your dough rise until ‘ripe’. Bread Machines- use ½ tsp Instant yeast (or ¾ tsp Active Dry yeast) per cup of flour in your recipe. Visit our Lessons in Yeast & Baking for more information.
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TWO tsp salt? Is that correct?
Hi Shay,
Yes, the large loaf (5 cups flour) calls for 2 tsp salt. You can decrease the amount of salt to as little as 1/2 teaspoon. Just keep an eye on your dough as it may rise faster.
Happy baking!
Carol
Can these be made in advance and frozen?
Hi Terry,
Yes they can. Here’s a link to freezing and also par-baking tips: https://redstaryeast.com/yeast-baking-lessons/postpone-baking/.
Happy baking!
Carol
I love this recipe! They are beautiful and delicious! Everyone loves them! They are gone before I know it! I have used a dry beef curry with diced potato as a filling. I could not make enough to satisfy the crowd!This is definitely a favorite recipe!
Julie Blaskie, would you share your recipe for dry beef curry w/diced potato? That sounds really good and I would love to try it.
More like a bread roll than a croissant but tasty and look nice. We added a piece of chocolate in the middle to make chocolatine.
I love croissants will have to try