Homemade Crescent Rolls

There’s nothing quite like a batch of homemade crescent rolls fresh out of the oven—crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. These rolls are a perfect addition to any meal, whether it’s for a holiday gathering, a cozy family dinner, or just a special treat to enjoy with your morning coffee. Made from scratch, these crescent rolls are light, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients List

To create these buttery crescent rolls, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Crescent Roll Dough Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110-115°F)
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup warm whole milk (110-115°F)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Egg Wash Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp water

Required Kitchen Tools

Before you start baking, make sure you have the right kitchen tools for the job. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Stand Mixer: Ideal for kneading the dough efficiently, especially with the dough hook attachment.
2. Pizza Cutter or Knife: For cutting the dough into perfect wedges.
3. Baking Sheet: Line with parchment paper for an easy cleanup.
4. Plastic Wrap or Damp Cloth: To cover the dough as it rises.
5. Whisk and Small Bowl: For preparing the egg wash to give the rolls a beautiful golden color.

Dough Preparation

Making the perfect dough for your crescent rolls is key to achieving that soft, airy texture. Follow these easy steps to get started.

Activating the Yeast

1. Activate the Yeast: Start by adding the active dry yeast, warm water, and 1/2 tsp sugar into the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir to combine and allow the yeast to bloom for about 5 minutes. The yeast should become bubbly and frothy. This step ensures that the yeast is alive and active, giving your rolls that light, fluffy texture.

Mixing the Dough

2. Combine Ingredients: Once the yeast has bloomed, add 1/4 cup sugar, melted butter, warm milk, 1 egg, salt, and 3 cups of flour into the mixing bowl. Attach the dough hook and begin mixing the ingredients on a low speed. As the dough starts to come together, gradually add the remaining 1 cup of flour. Continue mixing until the dough begins to form a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This process usually takes about 6-8 minutes. The dough should be soft, smooth, and slightly tacky.

Kneading and Resting

3. Knead the Dough: Once the dough has formed, shape it into a ball and transfer it to a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent the dough from drying out. Allow it to rise at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until it has nearly doubled in size.

Shaping the Crescent Rolls

Shaping the dough into crescent rolls is where the magic happens. These steps will guide you through the process of cutting and rolling your dough for the perfect crescent shape.

Punching Down the Dough

1. Deflate the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air bubbles. Transfer the dough to a clean surface (no need to flour it—the dough is rich enough to prevent sticking). Cut the dough in half to make it easier to work with.

Rolling Out the Dough

2. Roll into Circles: Take one portion of dough and roll it into a 12-inch circle. Use a rolling pin to achieve an even thickness.
3. Cut into Wedges: Using a pizza cutter or knife, slice the dough into 12 equal wedges. Think of cutting a pizza—each wedge should be about the same size to ensure even baking.

Rolling the Crescent Rolls

4. Shape the Rolls: Starting at the widest edge of each wedge, roll the dough tightly towards the pointed end, similar to how you would roll store-bought crescent dough. Make sure the rolls are snug but not too tight, as they need space to expand during baking.
5. Prepare for Baking: Once all the rolls are shaped, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be sure to leave some space between each roll, as they will expand as they rise. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let them rest for about 30 minutes to rise again.

Baking and Finishing Touches

Now that your crescent rolls are shaped and have risen perfectly, it’s time to bake them to golden perfection.

Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s nice and hot when the rolls go in.

Preparing the Egg Wash

2. Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1 tbsp of water to make an egg wash. This will give your crescent rolls that beautiful golden color when they bake.

Brushing the Rolls

3. Egg Wash the Rolls: Gently brush the egg wash over the tops of each crescent roll using a pastry brush. This adds a nice sheen and helps the rolls turn golden brown in the oven.

Baking the Crescent Rolls

4. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the rolls for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and have puffed up beautifully. Keep an eye on them as they bake, as oven times can vary.

Cooling and Serving

5. Cool: Once the crescent rolls are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes. Serve them warm with butter, honey, or your favorite jam for a delightful treat.

Baking and Finishing Touches

Now that your crescent rolls are shaped and have risen perfectly, it’s time to bake them to golden perfection.

Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s nice and hot when the rolls go in.

Preparing the Egg Wash

2. Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1 tbsp of water to make an egg wash. This will give your crescent rolls that beautiful golden color when they bake.

Brushing the Rolls

3. Egg Wash the Rolls: Gently brush the egg wash over the tops of each crescent roll using a pastry brush. This adds a nice sheen and helps the rolls turn golden brown in the oven.

Baking the Crescent Rolls

4. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the rolls for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and have puffed up beautifully. Keep an eye on them as they bake, as oven times can vary.

Cooling and Serving

5. Cool: Once the crescent rolls are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes. Serve them warm with butter, honey, or your favorite jam for a delightful treat.

Conclusion

Fresh, homemade crescent rolls are the perfect addition to any meal. With a soft, buttery texture and a golden, flaky exterior, these rolls are sure to impress. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, they’re a must-try for your next baking adventure!