The Ultimate Crash Course to the Different Types of Croissants
Croissants are light and buttery pastries golden brown in colour and crescent in shape. Made with yeast-risen dough and high-fat butter, then folded into an abundance of super-thin layers, croissants are some of the fluffiest and flakiest viennoiseries by virtue of their intricate lamination process.
Despite their possible origination in Austria, croissants are considered a quintessential French delicacy, inhabiting most if not all French boulangeries. But they don’t just take up one appearance — studded with raisins, cradling batons of chocolate, and flecked with powdered sugar and almonds, these French bakes can appear in all forms — and at times, other shapes.
What Makes It a Croissant?
Croissants are named after their iconic shape. Their ancestor, the Viennese kipferl, also translates to “crescent”, bearing a striking resemblance to the curved sickle shape of a waning moon.
These pastries are constructed from laminating dough to separate each layer with solid fat. The results from this oftentimes time-consuming process are airy and flaky layers within, covered by a crisp and delicate exterior that breaks apart as you bite into it.
A high-quality croissant is permeated with the rich fragrance of creamy butter, complete with the subtle sweetness of milk and a neutral base of flour.
Below are 10 different types of croissants that you can find in bakeries and here at Daily Ground.
1. Croissants Ordinaires (Standard Croissant)
Croissants ordinaires are standard croissants that you come across everyday. They are typically made with margarine instead of butter, and contain a flavour that’s less rich and buttery than their premium counterparts (see below for croissant au beurre). They might also be less flaky and moist. As a result, croissants ordinaires are best used for holding savoury fillings in sandwiches or paired with spreads for breakfast.
2. Plain Butter Croissant (Croissant au Beurre)
A step up from croissants ordinaires, the preparation of croissants au beurre involve generous amounts of high-quality butter. Compared to the former, these are recognised to be flakier, lighter, and more fragrant. Their superior flavour profile makes them perfect for enjoying with coffee and tea (even without all the extra stuff).
3. Chocolate Croissant (Pain au Chocolat)
A universal favourite of all children, pains au chocolat combine sweet, melted chocolate with the delectable taste of savoury butter. Specifically, they are made by swaddling two, or more, batons of chocolate inside folded croissant dough then baked in high heat. An indulgent sweet-salty marriage that’s timeless. Unlike other croissants, chocolate croissants are shaped in rounded rectangles for their signature look.
4. Chocolate Chip Croissant (Croissant aux Pépites de Chocolat)
A derivative of the pain au chocolat, croissants aux pépites de chocolat are decorated with a sprinkling of chocolate chips evenly distributed throughout the croissant dough.
5. Raisin Croissant (Pain aux Raisins)
Pains aux raisins will make you love raisins again. While some variations of the raisin croissant employ brioche dough, the French classic maintains its tradition of using leavened butter pastry. Both are studded with sweet raisins and packed with eggy crème pâtissière filling, creating a balanced treat that’s as good for dessert as it is for breakfast.
6. Almond Croissant (Croissant aux Amandes)
Almond croissants may not look the most impressive, but they are one of the most delightful and fragrant. Interiors are filled and exteriors are spread with almond cream (frangipane) before the pastries are coated with a fine dusting of confectioner’s sugar and a lavish scattering of sliced almonds. These go hand-in-hand with a cup of coffee for a true Parisian experience.
7. Ham and Cheese Croissant (Croissant au Jambon et Fromage)
Croissants au jambon et fromage, or more simply known as ham and cheese croissants, may not be steeped in centuries-old tradition, but have been embraced by modern bakeries worldwide. It’s not hard to guess why — these familiar ingredients create a delicious medley of flavours that most of us find hard to resist, at once salty, creamy and incredibly satisfying.
8. Sausage with Gruyere Cheese and Caramelised Onion Croissant (Daily Ground’s Seasonal Special)
An exclusive creation masterminded by our artisan bakers at Daily Ground, this version of the French pastry incorporates chicken sausage, gruyere, and caramelised onions in a single, substantial bite. A lightweight and gently-flavoured puff pastry ties these ingredients together, offering a perfectly balanced experience loaded with treasures, surprising you with every bite.
9. Muar Otah Cheese Croissant
French tradition joins hands with Asian cultures in a special muar otah croissant. Unlike other croissants, this treat comes with the intense flavours of spice paste imbued in a tender fish cake. It’s also saturated with cheese for additional richness.
10. Yuzu Bacon Cruffin (Daily Ground’s Seasonal Special)
Some decades after the original croissant was born, the cruffin — a portmanteau of croissant and muffin — followed suit. These unique bakes combine the laminated process of croissants with the mushroom-like shape of muffins and are stuffed to the brim with various creams, jams and curds. Daily Ground’s original yuzu bacon offering blends the tartness of citrus with the mouthwatering smokiness of bacon, elegantly crowned with a dried lemon slice.
Final Thoughts
Indulge in the extraordinary variety of croissants at our café, where almost all of these delicious creations can be found! From the classic butter croissant to inventive delights like our yuzu bacon cruffin, each pastry is crafted with dedication and the finest ingredients to bring you the best flavour and texture profile. Our bakes are nothing short of flaky, buttery, and heavenly — and exist in both traditional and modern concepts, curated just for you.
Shop online or visit Daily Ground at 619D Bukit Timah Road #01-01, Singapore 269724 now where an exquisite French croissant awaits with a superb cup of coffee or tea.
