Individual Kouign-Amann

Aug 15, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Paste Medium

Caramelized, crackly individual kouign-amann on parchment, one torn open to show the buttery layers

Flaky, caramelized individual kouign-amann pastries made from a laminated lean yeast dough enriched with vanilla bean paste, offering a perfect balance of buttery layers and sweet, crunchy sugar glaze.

Prep 90 min

Cook 35 min

Cooling 2 hr

Total 5 hr 5 min

Yield 12 pastries

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

pastries

3.0 cups (360.0 g)all-purpose flour
2.0 tsp (6.0 g)instant yeast
1.0 tsp (5.0 g)fine sea salt
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)cool water
1.0 cup (226.0 g)cold unsalted butter, for laminating
1.0 cup (200.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tsp (5.0 g)vanilla bean paste

Make it at home

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Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Add the cool water and vanilla bean paste. Mix with the dough hook on low speed until a rough dough forms, about 3-4 minutes. Increase speed to medium and knead for 5-6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Shape the dough into a ball, place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour to rest and slightly chill.
Meanwhile, prepare the butter block by placing the cold unsalted butter between two sheets of parchment paper. Pound and roll it into a 7-inch (18 cm) square. Keep it chilled until ready to laminate.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 10-inch (25 cm) square. Place the butter block diagonally onto the center of the dough square. Fold the four corners of the dough over the butter, fully enclosing it.
Roll the dough out into a 20 x 10 inch (50 x 25 cm) rectangle. Fold the dough into thirds like a letter (a single turn). Rotate the dough 90 degrees, wrap in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Repeat the rolling and folding step two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each turn. This ensures proper lamination of the butter layers.
After the final fold and chill, roll the dough to about 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) thick. Sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the surface, pressing lightly to adhere.
Cut the dough into 12 equal squares. Generously coat individual 3-inch (7.5 cm) round or square buttered tart pans or muffin tins with remaining sugar. Place each dough square in a tin, folding edges underneath as needed to form a tidy parcel.
Allow the shaped pastries to proof at room temperature (70°F/21°C) until nearly doubled in size, about 60 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pastries for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and caramelized, with a crisp, crackly sugar crust.
Remove from the oven and cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring the kouign-amann to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

Keep the dough and butter cold throughout the lamination process to ensure distinct flaky layers.
Use vanilla bean paste instead of extract to distribute vanilla evenly without adding extra liquid.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make individual kouign-amann?

Plan on 90 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of cooking, plus 3 hours to rise and chill. The recipe makes 12 individual pastries.

How should I store individual kouign-amann?

Store cooled individual kouign-amann in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in a 350°F (175°C) oven to restore crispness.

Can I make individual kouign-amann ahead?

The dough can be laminated and shaped a day ahead; proof and bake just before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (5 g). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

311 Calories / serving

15.6g Fat

39.9g Carbs

3.4g Protein

17.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~3732 cal · 187g fat · 479g carbs · 41g protein · 204g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 311 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 59 min·3.4 mi·~6900 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 42 min·2.1 mi·~4200 steps
Moderate cycling 32 min·6.4 mi
Swimming laps 44 min
Jogging 30 min·2.5 mi·~4800 steps
Stair climbing 29 min·~2600 steps
Dancing 51 min
Bodyweight circuit training 32 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 72 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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