National Croissant Day

National Croissant Day History

National Croissant Day celebrates one of the world’s most famous breakfast meals. The croissant is a crescent shaped pastry made from yeast-leavened dough. The dough is layered with butter then rolled and folded several times over. Although most people believe that the croissant was invented in France, its actual birthplace is Vienna, Austria. The pastry spread in France around 1839 when Austrian Baker August Zang opened a Viennese bakery in Paris. Many different types of croissants were developed over the years, some more buttery, some less. Today, croissants are enjoyed by many all around the world.

National Croissant Day is observed annually on January 30th.

Facts about National Croissant Day

• It is believed that the croissant was well-known as a breakfast staple in the late 19th century. This is evidenced by famous author Charles Dickens' reference of it in 1872, the workman's pain de menage and the soldier's pain de munition, to the dainty croissant on the boudoir table.
• The world's most expensive croissant hybrid pastry is the Luxury Zebra Cro. It costs about $2000. This croissant-donut dessert is infused with rosé champagne caviar, gold vanilla beans, and the world's most expensive Amedei Porcelana chocolate.
• Though delicious, croissants are largely considered to be a source of empty calories. Compared to other traditional breads like bagels, they fall into the unhealthy category. Croissants having empty calories means that they provide energy in the form of added sugars and unhealthy solid fats like saturated or trans fats. They may also have high levels of sodium. This National Croissant Day be mindful of how many croissants you enjoy as well as what is inside them.
• The croissant became a fast food item in the U.S in the second half of the 20th century. Baked goods corporation Sara Lee first introduced the pre-packaged frozen croissant to the U.S in 1981. It soon became widely popular as restaurant chains like Burger King and Arby's started selling them as breakfast items.

In the News and Trending in the US for National Croissant Day

Top things to do in the US for National Croissant Day

• Visit a bakery and try some delicious croissants. There are sweeter pastries and some with ham or cheese in them. The bakery may even have a special deal that they're offering in celebration of National Croissant Day.
• Explore croissant recipes. There are recipes for sweeter dessert croissants and there are some that make breakfast well worth it.
• Watch a baking show like the The Great British Bake Off. See what innovations and sweets competitors can whip up in this exciting baking competition.