The buttery, flaky, undeniably delicious croissant is certainly a pastry staple. Since it has a French name, many people assume the mouthwatering treat hailed from the European country. However, that assertion is actually up for debate. Today, Monroe, Louisiana’s favorite pastry shop, Donut Palace, gets to the bottom of the baked good’s historical roots.
By most accounts, what’s considered a foreign treat here in America began as a foreign delicacy in Paris, France. In the 19th century, historians say the earliest form of the croissant was only available in rich areas of Paris and only at select Viennese bakeries. These experts say the Austrian kipferl, which is a buttery baked good in the shape of a crescent, inspired the croissants we all know and love today.
In Austria, the lard or butter-packed kipferl dates back to the early 13th century A.D. In 1227, an Austrian poem describes Viennese bakers bestowing the tasty Christmas treats upon Duke Leopold.
Of course, while Austrians were making moon-shaped treats long before the French, the kipferl is not precisely the same as the croissant. Around 1840, the French began morphing the harder and more cookie-like kipferl into the light and fluffy pastries we know today. Within a few decades, the croissant became a resounding hit across France. Not long after, it would take the world by storm.
Now, you can enjoy this Austrian-inspired, French-crafted, and American-homemade treat in the comfort of Monroe’s best pastry shop. Whether you’re in the mood for a fresh-baked sausage, egg, and cheese croissant or a steaming coffee and donut, stop by Donut Palace today. To order a box of homemade pastries, call (318) 605-4834. To find out what else is for breakfast, check out the menu online.
