Last updated on June 28th, 2024.

Portuguese croissants, also known as “croissants Português” (Porto croissants), are a delightful twist on the classic French pastry. Bursting with flavor and a unique texture, these pastries are sure to captivate your taste buds. Let’s embark on a culinary journey to master the art of Portuguese croissant making!

Brioche Portuguese croissants

Portuguese Croissãs Why You Will Love Them?

While the classic French croissant and Italian Cornetto are light and flaky, and the Israeli Rugelach are loaded with chocolate, in Portugal, these rolls go by the name Croissant Brioche. Made with a rich buttery Brioche dough, then rolled and shaped into the classic crescent croissant shape. After baking, the rolls are soaked in sweet, sticky syrup that sometimes is infused with Port Wine.  

These pastries will blow your mind! I don’t understand how pastry shops have yet to discover them.  They are tender, buttery, a little sticky, slightly sweet, and are the perfect way to help you warm up during your coffee break for that time of the day. Parisian croissants get all the credit, but the Lisbon locals will agree with me that these sweet pastries are love at first bite and the best thing since Brioche Bread.

Portuguese Croissants vs. Classic Croissants

Plain croissants and Cornetti dough go through the classic lamination process, using a block of cold butter and 3-4 dough folds, depending on the recipe. The lamination process for Portuguese croissants is super simple and straightforward (and is even optional). It happens during the shaping stage and only calls for a thin layer of soft butter. I folded the dough twice for extra layers, but you can fold it once or use the same technique I used to make these Brioche Croissants.  

Ingredients

To embark on your Portuguese croissant adventure, gather the following ingredients:

For The Croissants

  • All-purpose wheat flour. Make sure you only use unbleached all-purpose flour.
  • Bread flour. If you do not have any, use all unbleached purpose flour.
  • Unsalted soft butter (high quality is key!). Do not use salted butter.
  • Cold water or milk. Make sure not to use warm milk or water.
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Instant yeast
  • Eggs.
  • Beaten egg. To brush the croissants.

For The Syrup

The syrup is optional, but I think it adds another sticky layer and sweetness.

  • Water
  • Sugar 
  • Vanilla extract
  • Port wine (optional)
Ingredients to make porto croissants

How to Make Portuguese croissants

Make The Dough

  1. Place the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a large bowl, and with the mixer on medium-low, add the eggs and water. 
  2. Mix for about three minutes until you have a dense, slightly dry dough.
  3. With the mixer on medium speed, add the butter one piece at a time, waiting for the butter to mostly incorporate before adding the next.
  4. Continue mixer on medium-high using the dough hook until the edges of the bowl are dough-free and you have a smooth, elastic, buttery dough.
  5. Divide the dough into two equal parts, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
ingredients to make brioche dough
elastic dough

Shaping

  1. The next day, place one part of the dough over a lightly floured surface and use your finger to press it one inch thick. 
  2. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into an 18×9-inch rectangle. Spread the dough with four tablespoons of soft butter.
  3. Fold one-third of the dough from the right over the center, then fold the third part from the left over the center. Repeat steps two and three, for extra flaky pastries, or skip to step 4.
  4. Roll the dough into 21×14 inches, and mark the bottom (wide side) every 4-inch mark. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough diagonally from one mark towards the end of the other side and back.
  5. Roll the croissant dough starting from the wide end while gently stretching it.
  6. Place the pastries over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush with egg wash, and allow them to rest in a warm place until double in size.
shaping Croissant Brioche
slicing triangle dough
rolling Portuguese brioche rolls

Baking and Soaking

  1. While the dough rests, place the water, sugar, and vanilla in a medium sauce over medium heat, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
  2. Bake the croissant rolls, remove them from the oven, and immediately brush them with the syrup.
brushing porto croissants wihh syrup

Tips

  • Proper Dough Resting Time. Allow the dough to rest initially overnight in the refrigerator; the long resting time is crucial for the development of flavor and the texture of the pastries. The same goes for the second resting; be patient, don’t rush it. Anything between 3-5 hours.
  • Use tape to mark the length and width for easy guidance.
  • Refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes between folding if you feel that the dough is warming up.
  • If you have leftovers, use them to make some Almond Croissants or French Toast Casserole.
  • It is hard to know whether the pastries are baked from the inside. They may look puffy and brown, but from the inside, if taken out too soon, the dough is raw. Slicing one from the center is the best way to know if they are ready. If the dough is still raw, it needs more time.
  • Follow the baking instructions on the recipe card when applying one or two butter layers. If you skip the butter or use the Brioche Croissants technique, follow the baking instructions specific to the recipe (350F for 25-30 minutes).

Storing Your Portuguese Croissants

To savor the freshness of your Portuguese croissants for longer, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. For an extra treat, warm them in the oven before enjoying them.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter?

It’s best to use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the croissants.

Can I freeze the dough?

Absolutely! Freeze the shaped croissants and bake them whenever the craving strikes. Allow the dough to reach room temperature.

What’s the ideal serving companion for Portuguese croissants?

 Pair them with a cup of Portuguese coffee, or enjoy them with a dollop of cream and fresh berries.

Why are croissants yellow in Portugal?

My guess is that they use only egg yolks in the dough instead of whole eggs.

Brioche Portuguese Croissant

More Pastries Recipes You Might Enjoy

Pain Aux Raisins, Cruffins, Puff pasties Chocolate Croissants

Don’t forget to tag @OneSarcasticBaker on Instagram whenever you bake this recipe. I would love to see your creations!

Portuguese Croissants

Tender, buttery and sticky croissants-shaped brioche rolls.

Course Breakfast
Cuisine European
Keyword portuguese Croissants
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 20 Croissants
Author Dikla

Ingredients

For the Dough

For The Syrup

  • 3/4 Cup Water (180ml)
  • 1 Cup Sugar (200g)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/4 Cup Port wine

Instructions

  1. Over a lightly floured surface, roll one part of the dough into an 18×9-inch rectangle.

  2. Spread four tableaspoons soft butter over the surface of the dough.

  3. Fold the right one third of the dough over the center, then fold the left third of the dough over the top.

  4. Repeat the last two steps.

  5. Roll the dough into a 21×14 inch rectangle, mark the four inch points. Use a sharp knife or a pizza roller to cut the dough from one mark toward the top in a diagonal line and back.

  6. Roll each triangle from the bottom wide, while gently streching the dough.

  7. Place the pastires over a baking sheet line with parchment paper, brush with egg wash and allow to rest for 3-5 hours.

  8. Bake at 400F (200C) for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350F (180C) and bake for additional 8-10 minutes.

Make the syrup

  1. Place the water, suagr, vanilla and port wine in a medium sized pan and bring to a boil over medium heat.

  2. Store until the sugar is dissolved, then reduce heat to simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes.

  3. Immidiately after remving the pastires from the oven, brush them with a pastry crush and serve.

Recipe Notes

  • The pastries are best on the same day and can be stored at room temperature for up to two days.
  • To freeze, place the pasties in a freeze bag and freeze for up to three months. To warm, heat for 5-10 minutes in a 350F (180C) preheated oven.
  • Resting time is very important: Begin by allowing the dough to rest overnight in the refrigerator, as this extended resting period is vital for flavor and pastry texture development. The same patience is required for the second resting phase, which should span between 3 to 5 hours.
  • Use tape to mark the dimensions for easy guidance during the process.
  • If you notice the dough warming up, refrigerate it for 10 minutes between folds.
  • It is hard to know if the pastries are done. Despite their puffy appearance, prematurely taken-out pastries might have raw dough inside. Slicing one from the center is the most reliable method to ascertain readiness. If the dough remains raw, it requires additional baking time.
  • When applying one or two layers of butter, adhere to the baking instructions on the recipe card. Alternatively, if omitting butter or utilizing the Brioche Croissants technique, follow the specific baking instructions provided in the recipe
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