This easy Croissant Sourdough Loaf captures the buttery flavor of croissant dough in a rustic sourdough loaf. Soft, rich, and tender—not flaky like a pastry, but beautifully moist and full of flavor.
Butter-Enriched Bread in Just a Few Hours? Yes, Please!
This Croissant Sourdough Loaf is inspired by the flavor and richness of classic croissant-style dough—but it’s baked in a simple, rustic loaf form. This simple croissant loaf is made using my yeasted same-day sourdough base, so you can enjoy that gentle sourdough tang and buttery depth in just a few hours.
This isn’t a flaky pastry-style croissant. Instead, it’s a tender, slightly dense bread with a buttery, golden crust and a rich, moist crumb. It's perfect for breakfast toast, gifting, or serving alongside your favorite soups and stews.
At a Glance
- Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate
- Flavor Profile: Buttery, lightly tangy, tender and moist
- Options Included: Sweet or savory finishes
- Best For: Toasting, gifting, or pairing with breakfast or brunch. Ideal for the holidays with Nutella or your favorite cranberry jelly.
Croissant Sourdough Loaf Ingredients
You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for your convenience, but I thought you might want a quick peek at the ingredients you'll need. These are simple and might already be in your fridge or pantry.
Base Dough:
- active sourdough starter
- warm water
- instant yeast
- all-purpose or bread flour (loosely scooped and leveled)
- salt
- granulated sugar
- melted butter
- softened butter (for folding)
- Sprinkle of flaky salt, coarse sugar, or honey drizzle
That's it! Very basic ingredients!
How to Make Croissant Sourdough
If you're accustomed to a two-day sourdough process, this one is going to make you smile. It comes together in just a few hours. If you start off your day with an active starter, you can mix, fold, rise, and bake, by lunchtime!
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine starter, water, and yeast.
Add flour, salt, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 2: First Rise
Cover the bowl and let it rest for 30 minutes, then perform 3 stretch-and-folds 20 minutes apart.
Step 3: Butter Fold
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a rectangle about 10×14 inches. Spread softened butter evenly across the surface.
Fold like a letter (in thirds), rotate 90°, roll out gently, and fold once more. Chill 20–30 minutes to firm the butter slightly.
Step 4: Shape
Roll into a loose oval or jelly-roll shape, tucking the ends under. Place seam-side up in a floured banneton or parchment-lined bowl.
Step 5: Second Rise
Let rise 45–60 minutes at room temperature (72-75 degrees) until noticeably puffy. Preheat oven to 425°F with a Dutch oven inside for the full time the bread is rising.
Step 6: Bake
Score the loaf.
Cover, and bake 25 minutes covered + 15–20 minutes uncovered until golden brown. Always bake with (crumpled) parchment paper.
The butter in this loaf can cause the bottom to burn if you're not careful. To remedy this consider a sprinkling of cornmeal between the dough and parchment paper. Also make sure you're not baking on the bottom rack of the oven.
Step 7: Finish
Brush the warm loaf with melted butter for a soft, glossy finish. Cool completely before slicing — or enjoy that first warm slice as the baker’s treat!
Slice and serve. This loaf is delicious by itself, and even yummier with softened butter. (I love a good salted butter, but you choose the one you enjoy. Honey butter is also a lovely option for this loaf.)
Allow the loaf to cool completely before storing. Place in an airtight container once cooled so that the loaf doesn't dry out. It should stay good for 2-3 days. You can always freeze the slices to thaw and eat later.
Serving Ideas
- Toast and top with honey or jam for breakfast.
- Serve warm with soup or stew — perfect for dipping.
- Slice thick and make buttery grilled sandwiches.
- Gift with a small jar of flavored butter or homemade jam.
What to Expect from this Loaf
I love a good sourdough and this one does not disappoint. The outside is crusty and buttery. I didn't even mind the bottom being a little browner than I had expected. The butter flavor reeks through the crust.
The interior crumb is moist and you definitely pick up on those buttery notes. The loaf is flavorful and luscious, ideal for toasting, sandwiches, or simply to enjoy with jam, butter, or Nutella. No matter how you serve it, you're going to love it!
Variations to this Recipe
I love this loaf just as it is, but I also love adding to my breads. Here are some fun ideas that spring to mind:
Honey: You can substitute honey for the sugar. Be sure to serve it with honey butter if you choose this option.
Spice cake: I think this bread recipe would be lovely with the addition of fall spices (like pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon).
Craisins and pecans: If you really want to take this up a notch, add half a cup each of craisins and finely chopped pecans.
Savory elements: Choose from pepperoni and mozzarella or bacon cheddar. You can even choose jalapeno with cheddar, my personal favorite.
Other Sourdough Recipes from Out of the Box Baking
If you love this croissant sourdough you're going to flip over my other recipes. Here are some crowd favorites:
Sourdough Discard Crackers: Looking for a quick and tasty way to use up sourdough discard? These buttery, crispy sourdough discard crackers are loaded with flavor and ready in minutes—perfect for snacking, dipping, or charcuterie boards!
Same Day Sourdough English Muffins: These same-day sourdough English muffins are soft, tangy, and full of nooks and crannies—perfect for breakfast or brunch! Made with sourdough starter and a touch of yeast, they’re ready to cook in just a few hours.
Apple Pie Focaccia with Sourdough Starter: This Apple Pie Focaccia combines the chewy, airy texture of sourdough focaccia with the warm, spiced flavors of homemade apple pie. Topped with tender apples, cinnamon sugar, and a golden crust, it's a deliciously unique bake perfect for brunch or dessert!
Honey Oat Sourdough: This Honey Oat Sourdough Bread is soft, lightly sweet, and perfect for same-day baking. Made with sourdough starter, oats, and a touch of honey, it’s an easy sandwich loaf the whole family will love.
That's it for this post, friends. I hope you love this simple croissant sourdough loaf. Before you go, why not share some pictures to your Pinterest boards?
About the Baker
Hi, I’m Janice Thompson—author, blogger, and lifelong home baker who believes every recipe tells a story. At Out of the Box Baking, I share simple, creative desserts made with love (and often a boxed mix!). Whether you’re whipping up cookies for neighbors, cupcakes for a party, or sweet gifts for the holidays, my goal is to help you bake with confidence and a smile.