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Making croissants from scratch is a bit of a labor of love, but the results are worth it. Here's a simplified recipe:

Ingredients:

- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

- 1 1/4 cups warm milk

- 1/4 cup granulated sugar

- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold but pliable

Instructions:

1. **Activate Yeast:**

   - In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. **Prepare Dough:**

   - In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.

3. **Knead:**

   - Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth.

4. **Chill Dough:**

   - Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

5. **Prepare Butter Block:**

   - Roll out the cold but pliable butter between two sheets of parchment paper into a rectangle.

6. **Fold Dough:**

   - Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface into a larger rectangle.

   - Place the butter block on one half of the dough, then fold the other half over it. Seal the edges.

7. **Turns:**

   - Roll out the folded dough into a rectangle again and fold it into thirds like a letter. Repeat this process 3-4 times with chilling intervals.

8. **Shape Croissants:**

   - Roll out the dough into a large rectangle and cut it into triangles.

   - Roll each triangle starting from the wider end, forming croissants.

9. **Proof:**

   - Place the shaped croissants on a baking sheet, cover, and let them rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours or until doubled in size.

10. **Bake:**

    - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

    - Bake the croissants for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

11. **Cool:**

    - Allow the croissants to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Enjoy your homemade flaky croissants!