Rich Yeast Crescents are a buttery, tender pastry often found at festive tables and family gatherings. They combine the pillowy softness of yeast bread with the indulgence of enriched dough, perfect for brunches, holidays, or as a comforting treat. This recipe uses cake yeast and scalded milk to create a dough that rises overnight, resulting in a delicate texture and slightly sweet flavor. The filled, rolled crescents are a charming and nostalgic bake that often brings back memories of mid-century kitchens and well-loved family cookbooks.
Ingredients
- 1 cake yeast (or 0.6 oz fresh yeast)
- 1 cup shortening
- 2 tbsp shortening (for greasing or dough handling)
- 3½ cups flour
- ½ cup milk (scalded)
- 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
- ½ cup thick jam (such as apricot or raspberry)
- powdered sugar (for sprinkling rolls)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Yeast and Flour
- Dissolve cake yeast in a small amount of lukewarm water (if needed).
- Cut shortening and yeast into sifted dry flour using a pastry cutter or fork.
Step 2: Add Liquids
- Once mixture is evenly crumbly, add scalded (but cooled) milk and beaten eggs.
- Mix thoroughly until a smooth dough forms.
Step 3: Rest Dough
- Knead dough lightly into a ball.
- Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Roll Dough
- On a floured surface, roll dough thin and divide in two parts.
- Cut each part into 8–12 triangular slices.
Step 5: Fill and Shape
- Place a small spoonful of jam near the wide end of each triangle.
- Roll up each triangle from the wide end to the tip, forming crescents.
- Place on a greased baking sheet.
Step 6: Rise and Bake
- Let crescents rise for 1 hour.
- Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
Step 7: Finish
- While warm, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Tips
- Chill the dough overnight for easier rolling and shaping.
- Keep unused dough refrigerated while shaping batches.
- Roll wedges tightly from the wide edge to prevent uncoiling.
- Use very cold dough for cleaner cuts and better shape.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar while crescents are still warm so it adheres.
- Add finely chopped nuts to the jam filling for texture.
- Try apricot, raspberry, or plum jam for classic flavor swaps.
- Freeze unbaked shaped crescents and bake directly from frozen.
Nutrition
Calories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 11mgPotassium: 24mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 28IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg
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