Imagine everything you love about a croissant—flaky, buttery layers—fused with the tangy depth of sourdough. That’s exactly what the sourdough croissant loaf delivers. It’s a magical hybrid that feels fancy enough for brunch, but cozy enough for your morning toast. No need to laminate or fuss with folds like traditional croissants—instead, we gently incorporate butter right into the dough during fermentation. The result? A loaf that’s rich, light, and impossibly satisfying.
If you’ve already tried our Sourdough Croissant Bread, you’ll love this simpler, equally indulgent version. Let’s dive into what makes this loaf so crave-worthy!
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What Is a Sourdough Croissant Loaf?
A sourdough croissant loaf is a buttery, tender loaf made by combining traditional sourdough fermentation with techniques borrowed from laminated doughs. But instead of full lamination, butter is folded in during the stretch and fold phase of bulk fermentation. This adds richness and soft layers without the time-consuming steps of classic croissants.
Think of it like this: sourdough brings the tang, butter brings the luxury, and the crumb is somewhere between a country loaf and a breakfast pastry. It’s the perfect loaf for mornings, toast, sandwiches, or anytime you want to treat yourself without reaching for a mixer or stand-up laminator.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Buttery, yet light: The perfect balance of indulgent and airy
- No lamination needed: Skip the complicated croissant steps
- Perfect texture: Soft crumb with subtle layering
- Beginner-friendly: Great for new sourdough bakers
- Versatile: Great for toast, breakfast sandwiches, or sweet add-ins
Sourdough Croissant Loaf
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus overnight rest)
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 days (including fermentation and proofing)
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Fusion
Description
A buttery, tangy, and tender loaf that fuses classic sourdough fermentation with the luxurious richness of croissants—without any lamination fuss.
Ingredients
- 25g active sourdough starter (for levain)
- 50g water (for levain)
- 50g bread flour (for levain)
- 500g bread flour
- 350g water
- 10g salt
- 170g unsalted European-style butter, grated or cubed
- Optional: Chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar, dried herbs, or shredded cheese
Instructions
- Mix levain ingredients the night before and let rest at room temperature overnight.
- In the morning, mix flour, water, levain, and salt until shaggy. Rest 30 minutes.
- Perform four stretch and folds at 30-minute intervals.
- Add half of the grated/cubed butter during the second fold by gently pressing into the dough.
- Add the remaining butter during the third fold in the same way.
- After final fold, bulk rise until dough increases by about 70% in volume (4–6 hours).
- Pre-shape the dough, rest 30 minutes, then shape into loaf form.
- Place shaped dough into a loaf pan or banneton and refrigerate overnight.
- Next morning, preheat oven to 450°F with Dutch oven inside.
- Score cold dough and bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 20–25 minutes until deep golden and internal temperature reaches 200°F.
- Cool completely before slicing to allow crumb to set properly.
Notes
For best results, use high-fat European-style butter and avoid slicing too early—this helps maintain the delicate layers and crumb structure.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Essential Dough Ingredients
- Active Sourdough Starter: Recently fed and bubbly, at its peak
- Bread Flour: High protein for strength and chew
- Water: Filtered or spring water preferred
- Salt: Balances flavor and helps strengthen gluten
Butter for That Croissant Effect
- Unsalted Butter: European-style works best for richness
- Grated or Cubed: We’ll fold it in during bulk fermentation, not laminate
Optional Add-Ins
- Chocolate Chips or Cinnamon Sugar – for a sweet twist
- Dried Herbs or Shredded Cheese – for a savory spin
Love enriched doughs? Try our Sourdough Brioche Buns Recipe—they’re another buttery sourdough favorite that’s pillowy-soft and slightly sweet.
Sourdough Croissant Loaf Timeline
Timing is everything with this loaf—but don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it. This is a low-stress, spread-out timeline that works well for weekend bakes. Here’s what a typical 3-day schedule looks like:
Day 1 – Prepare the Levain
- 8 PM: Mix 25g active starter with 50g water and 50g bread flour
- Cover and leave at room temperature (75–78°F) overnight
Day 2 – Mix, Stretch & Fold
- 8 AM: Mix all dough ingredients (excluding butter) and rest 30 minutes
- 9 AM: Begin stretch and folds
- 9:30 AM: 1st fold
- 10 AM: 2nd fold + incorporate ½ the grated/cubed butter
- 10:30 AM: 3rd fold + rest of the butter
- 11 AM: Final fold and bulk rise until dough increases ~70% in volume (about 4–6 hours)
- 5 PM: Pre-shape, rest 30 minutes, then shape into a loaf
- 6 PM: Cold proof in fridge overnight (cover with plastic or use a lidded pan)
Day 3 – Bake the Loaf
- 8 AM: Preheat oven to 450°F with Dutch oven inside
- Score the loaf (a single long slash works well)
- 8:30 AM: Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for another 20–25 minutes
- Loaf is done when deep golden and internal temp is 200°F
- Cool completely before slicing—seriously, let those layers set!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make levain: The night before, mix and rest overnight.
- Mix dough: Combine flour, water, levain, and salt. Mix until shaggy and rest.
- Stretch & fold: Perform 4 folds every 30 minutes. Add grated butter during the 2nd and 3rd folds. Gently press butter into the dough as you fold to distribute.
- Bulk ferment: Let dough rise 70% in volume—look for bubbles and jiggle.
- Shape: Lightly flour the surface and gently shape into a batard or loaf pan shape.
- Cold proof: Place shaped dough into pan or banneton, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- Score & bake: Preheat the oven with the Dutch oven. Transfer cold dough to parchment, score, and bake as directed.
- Cool completely: This sets the crumb—slicing early will collapse your layers!
If you love creative sourdough projects, you’ll also enjoy our Sourdough Discard Bagels Recipe. It’s a great way to use up starter and try your hand at shaping!
How Does Sourdough Croissant Loaf Taste?
This sourdough croissant loaf is buttery, soft, and slightly tangy with a crisp golden crust. It’s less sweet than a bakery croissant but far richer than your standard sourdough boule. The crumb is sandwich-bread tender with a light, subtle layering—like the beginning of lamination without full flakiness.
It’s not greasy at all. The butter creates richness, not oiliness. Some bakers mention a soft feel on the crust from the butter, but the inside stays light, fluffy, and clean.
Baker’s Tips for Perfect Texture
Butter Tips
- Grate cold butter: It melts slowly and folds easily into dough
- Use high-quality butter: European-style (82% fat) gives a richer result
- Don’t overwork: Handle the dough gently to keep the structure intact
Climate Adjustments
- Dry climate: Add 5–10g more water to maintain hydration
- Humid climate: You may need a touch more flour during shaping
Proofing Cues
- 70% volume increase in bulk
- Bubbles under the surface = ready!
- Cold proofing gives better oven spring and flavor
Substitutions & Variations
- AP flour: Can work, but reduce water by ~10%
- Salted butter: Works fine—reduce added salt slightly
- Add-ins: Chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar, fresh herbs, cheese
- Sweet version: Swirl in jam or honey before final shaping
Looking for a sweet + fruity twist to pair with this loaf? Try our Strawberry Blondies—soft, chewy, and the perfect counterpoint to tangy sourdough!
How to Store and Reheat
- Room temp: Keeps 2–3 days in a bread bag or an airtight container
- Freezer: Slice and freeze for up to 1 month
- To reheat: Toast slices straight from the freezer
- Avoid the fridge: It dries out the crumbs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sourdough croissant loaf?
A hybrid between croissant and sourdough—soft, buttery, and slightly tangy with a sandwich-style crumb and a golden crust.
Does the dough contain butter?
Yes! Butter is grated or cubed and folded in during the fermentation process, not laminated. It adds softness and light layers.
How does the sourdough croissant loaf taste?
It’s soft, airy, and buttery without being rich or greasy. The crust is golden and slightly crisp, while the crumb stays tender.
Is the sourdough croissant loaf greasy or oily?
Nope! Even with all that butter, it feels light. You may notice a buttery feel on the crust, but the crumb stays soft and clean.
What does the crumb look like?
Sandwich-soft with slight layering. It’s not open-holed like traditional sourdough but still light and airy inside.
Why is it called a croissant loaf?
Because of the technique, incorporating butter into the dough mimics croissant layering, without lamination. It’s buttery, but still a loaf.
Do I need to adjust the recipe according to the climate?
Possibly! Drier climates may need a touch more water. Humid conditions may call for slightly more flour during shaping or proofing.
Final Thoughts
This sourdough croissant loaf is your new favorite hybrid bake—rich, soft, and so satisfying. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, layering it into sandwiches, or toasting it with jam, it adds just enough luxury without the labor of full croissants.
Craving more creative sourdough ideas? Don’t miss our:
