Ah, croissants! The buttery, flaky pastry that's often eaten for breakfast or as a snack. It consists of a yeast-leavened dough folded into a crescent shape and then rolled, layered with butter, and baked until golden brown.

People from all over the world love it, and it's no surprise why. It's delicious! In fact, according to this statistic, 142.30 million Americans consumed croissants in 2020. This figure is projected to increase to 145.06 million in 2024.

Today, January 30 is National Croissant Day! To celebrate this wonderful pastry, we've created this handy guide to everything you need to know about croissants.

History of Croissant

The origin of croissants can actually be traced back to 13th-century Vienna, Austria. It was called "kipferl" which is a German word meaning "crescent".

August Zhang, an Austrian artillery officer founded the bakery that invented it. The bakery was called "Boulangerie Viennoise", and one of its most popular products was a sweet roll shaped like a crescent. It wasn't until the 19th century, when French bakers created their own version of the pastry, that it became known as "croissant".

The first true recipe for what we know as the modern-day croissant was published by another chef named Slyvain Claudius Goy in 1915.

In the US, it was the baked goods corporation Sara Lee that popularized the croissant. They introduced them in 1981 and sold the frozen version of it in grocery stores across America.

How To Celebrate National Croissant Day

National Croissant Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of life's greatest treats. The flaky pastry has been around for centuries, and it's still just as delicious today as it was when you were a kid.

If you're looking for some ideas on how to celebrate this special day, here are some tips:

Buy or Make Yourself Some Croissants!

You can find them at most grocery stores or bakeries. If you want to go all out, try making your own from scratch! If you're feeling extra ambitious, try making your own croissants from scratch.

Eat Your Croissants With Friends at Breakfast Time — or Any Other Time of Day!

They're great with coffee or tea; just don't forget about something sweet like jam or Nutella spread so that no one misses out on enjoying every bite together before heading off into their busy days ahead.

Throw a Croissant Party!

This is a great way to celebrate your favorite pastry. You can have a theme, or just have guests bring their favorite croissants. Throw in some coffee and tea for good measure!

Take a Baking Class for Croissants

If you love all things pastry, then why not take a class to learn how to make perfect croissants? There are lots of cooking classes that focus on baking, and some even include a hands-on experience of making croissants from scratch! If you're looking for something fun to do with friends or family, this is a great way to bond over something delicious while learning new skills.

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Experiment With Different Flavors

You can make croissants with any flavor you want, from chocolate to fruit. Try making a plain croissant first, then adding something sweet or savory like chocolate chips or ham and cheese. You can even experiment with different types of dough and fillings to see what works best for your family!

Make a Croissant Sandwich

You can make a croissant sandwich by adding non-sweet fillings like ham, cheese, and mustard. This is a great way to use up leftovers from dinner or lunch the night before. Put together your favorite ingredients and add them to your croissants for an easy meal that tastes delicious!

Share Your Love for Croissants on Social Media

If you love croissants as much as we do, why not share them with the world? Take a photo of your favorite croissant and share them on social media using #NationalCroissantDay!

Fun Facts About Croissants

Buttery, flaky, and delicious, croissants are a classic pastry. But do you know everything about them? Here are some fun facts about croissants that will make your day:

• The basic ingredients for a classic French croissant au beurre are butter, flour, water, milk, yeast, sugar, salt, and egg.
• Croissants are made from a rich dough that is rolled into sheets and layered with butter. The layers of dough are then folded over and rolled again, creating a flaky texture.
• Although the pastry is most popular in France, croissants were actually invented in Austria.
• In the 1800s, the croissant used to be for the wealthy and only the elite were able to enjoy this delicious treat.

• Rumor has it that Marie-Antoinette introduced the croissant to France.
• The most expensive croissant hybrid is the Luxury Zebra Cro. It costs about $2000. This croissant-donut dessert is topped with rosé champagne caviar, gold vanilla beans, and chunks of Amedei Porcelana chocolate — the world's most expensive chocolate.
• Patisserie Stohrer, a Parisian bakery that opened in 1730, the oldest in France, still makes croissants today, keeping a traditional recipe that hasn't changed much since its conception.
• Croissants contain a large amount of sugar and fat, which makes them quite unhealthy.
• Chocolate-filled croissants are very popular in France, where they’re known as a pain au chocolat.

Conclusion

We all love croissants. They are a delicious treat and they go well with coffee or tea. This National Croissant Day, celebrate with a croissant or two!  You'll surely enjoy it!