Every January 30th, food lovers around the world unite in celebration of one of the most beloved pastries: the croissant. This delightful day is an opportunity to enjoy a buttery, flaky treat, whether purchased from a local bakery, paired with sweet or savory fillings, or even made from scratch at home.
The Croissant: A Perfect Pastry
A well-made croissant is tender yet crisp, slightly chewy, and deliciously buttery. Whether enjoyed plain, with chocolate, or as the foundation for a sandwich, its versatility makes it a perennial favorite.
How to Celebrate National Croissant Day
Indulge in a Croissant
The best way to celebrate is by treating yourself to a freshly baked croissant. For an authentic experience, visit a French bakery, but even non-French establishments often craft excellent versions of this iconic pastry.
Here are some ways to enjoy a croissant throughout the day:
- Breakfast: A warm croissant with butter and jam.
- Lunch or Dinner: A croissant sandwich filled with chicken salad, ham, or cheese.
- Dessert: A chocolate-filled croissant or one covered with Nutella.
Find Deals and Discounts
Many bakeries and cafes offer special deals to mark the occasion. Some national and local establishments that have offered discounts in past years include:
- Burger King: Offers two-for-one deals on their Croissan’wiches.
- Harry & David: Discounts on premium almond or chocolate croissants.
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Special promotions on their croissant offerings.
- Starbucks: A variety of croissants such as Butter, Chocolate Hazelnut, and Almond are sometimes featured on the menu.
Fun Facts About Croissants
Impress friends and family with some interesting croissant trivia:
- Croissants were historically considered a luxury item due to their butter content.
- In Europe, a chocolate-filled croissant is called “pain au chocolat” and is typically rectangular.
- In France, croissants are often bought fresh daily and served with jams at breakfast.
- Croissants only became a staple in French bakeries in the 1920s.
Bake Your Own Croissants
For those who love baking, National Croissant Day is the perfect occasion to try making croissants from scratch. While it requires time and patience, the results are well worth it. The key steps include:
- Preparing a simple dough with flour, butter, sugar, yeast, and milk.
- Refrigerating overnight.
- Rolling out layers of butter to create the classic flaky texture.
- Cutting, shaping, proofing, and baking to golden perfection.
The History of the Croissant
Despite being closely associated with France, the croissant’s origins trace back to Austria. Legend has it that after defeating the Ottoman Empire in 1683, Viennese bakers celebrated by creating crescent-shaped pastries, mirroring the crescent on the Turkish flag. The treat eventually made its way to France, where it was refined with puff pastry and became the classic croissant we know today.
National Croissant Day Timeline
- 1683: The crescent-shaped pastry is created in Vienna.
- 1770s: Marie Antoinette is rumored to introduce the croissant to France.
- 1837: Boulangerie Viennoise in Paris popularizes Austrian-style pastries.
- 1910s: The modern croissant is born, made with laminated puff pastry.
- 1920s: Croissants become widely available in French bakeries.
Celebrate in Style
No matter how you choose to celebrate—whether by indulging in a bakery-fresh croissant, hunting down special discounts, or mastering the art of croissant baking at home—National Croissant Day is the perfect excuse to savor this classic pastry. So go ahead, treat yourself to a warm, flaky croissant and revel in its deliciousness!
