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Argentinian Medialunas

Published: Apr 9, 2022 · Modified: Apr 8, 2025 by Pilar Hernandez · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Versión en español

I remember first traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital. For four days, our breakfast was Argentinian Medialunas and a coffee. They are also the perfect mid-afternoon snack. They are widely popular and always available in Argentina. They have also been adopted in Chile, my home country.Argentinian Medialunas

Are croissants and Medialunas the same?

No, Medialunas are between a brioche and a croissant. They are made with a sweet, enriched (eggs and butter) dough with many layers and a subtle hint of lemon and vanilla. The sweetness is restrained.

Medialunas are a little challenging to make but fabulous to eat. They can be frozen and popped in the microwave or toaster for a real treat. Don't forget to try them if you ever go to Argentina.

I recommend using European-style butter in this recipe (higher in fat, 82% or more) for better taste.
Argentinian Medialunas

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Argentinian Medialunas

Argentinian Medialunas

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Pilar Hernandez
  • Prep Time: 5 hours (2 h. active time)
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 hours, 30 minutes
  • Yield: 18
  • Category: Sweets
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Argentinian
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Description

A traditional recipe for Argentinian Medialunas or sweet croissants.


Ingredients

Units
PLEASE USE  THE METRIC MEASUREMENTS for the dough,
  • 300 ml. of whole milk
  • 14 grams (2 envelopes) of active yeast
  • 525 grams of all-purpose flour
  • 40 grams of sugar
  • 15 grams of honey
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, optional
  • 10 grams of salt
  • 2 eggs (1 for the dough and 1 for the brush)
for the butter layers,
  • 40 grams of all-purpose flour
  • 225 grams of European-style butter, at room temperature (Plugra works well)
for the syrup,
  • ½ cup of water
  • ½ cup of sugar

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk; it should not be more than 110F or 43C. Add the yeast and stir until dissolved. Let stand for 10 minutes; it should form abundant bubbles. If you do not see bubbles, repeat the process and make sure that the yeast is alive.
  2. With a fork, mix the butter with the 40 grams of flour and spread over parchment paper, give it a square shape of about 6" per side. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
    Butter brick
  3. Place the flour, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, lemon, salt, and one egg in a bowl. Using the paddle attachment, mix everything while adding the milk with the yeast. Work to form a sticky dough for about 5 minutes. Change to the kneading hook and knead for 10 minutes at a low speed.
    medialuna dough
  4. Place the dough on a floured board. Stretch the dough into a square of about 12" per side, place the square of butter in the center, and fold the dough to cover the square of butter. Pinch to seal the edges of the dough. Roll without exposing the butter into a rectangle. Fold in 3 as a letter, the left side first. Place in a floured tin and refrigerate for 1 hour.
    adding the butter brick to the dough
  5. Remove the dough from the floured board and place it with the longest side in front of you. Extend to form a rectangle and fold again in 3, always on the left side first. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat this process two more times. After the four times doing the folding, don't refrigerate. Move to the next step.
  6. Stretch the dough on the floured counter into a rectangle of 45 x 30 cm (18 "x 12") with a thickness of 5 mm. Cut so that the rectangle has straight edges. Cut three long strips of 4" wide each. Then, cut each one in 3, and then diagonally, you will get 18 triangles. Extend each triangle and roll up starting from the base. Guide yourself with the photos.
    cutting the dough layers of dough shaping the dough
  7. Butter generously a quarter baking sheet. Place each roll in the sheet and give it a horn shape, pressing the tips into the baking sheet, place the next crescent almost touching the previous one, fill the tray.
    shaping medialunas medialunas on baking sheet
  8. Place the remaining egg and a little water or milk in a small bowl. Beat until fully incorporated.
  9. Preheat the oven to 350F or 180C.
  10. Leave the medialunas covered with a dishcloth in a warm place for 30-45 minutes; they should grow but not double in size.
  11. Brush with the egg mixture and bake for 30 minutes, rotating if necessary.
    brushing medialunas
  12. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup. Place the water and sugar in a small pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let boil for 4 minutes to reduce.
    syrup making
  13. Remove the medialunas from the oven; they must be well browned, prick with a toothpick in several parts, and brush with the syrup so that it is absorbed. Keep brushing until you use all the syrup.
    brushing baked medialunas
  14. Serve warm. They keep for three days. They can be frozen and reheated without problems.
    Argentinian Medialunas

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 194
  • Sugar: 7.1 g
  • Sodium: 175.1 mg
  • Fat: 8.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25.2 g
  • Fiber: 0.8 g
  • Protein: 3.7 g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @chileanfoodandgarden on Instagram and hashtag it #chileanfoodandgarden

What is Facturas in Argentina?

Facturas is a unique Argentinian way to refer to Pan Dulces. Medialunas are a kind of factura.

Places to get Medialunas:

In Houston: Argentina Cafe

In Seattle: Boca Bakery, SeaTango Bakery

Leave a comment if you know of other Argentinian bakeries.

Other Argentinian recipes here.

Argentinian Medialunas

This recipe was sponsored by Plugrá® butter.

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Comments

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    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Mc says

    January 17, 2025 at 11:35 pm

    El moatrador in nyc has amazing medialuna

    Reply
    • Pilar Hernandez says

      January 18, 2025 at 4:36 pm

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
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I'm Pilar Hernandez, a Latina mom, blogger since 2008, and urban farmer.

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