Name: gipfeli recipe
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: PT-483824H11M50S
Total time: 11 min
Cuisine: Swiss
Ingredients: 🌾 All-purpose flour: 3 cups (360g); 🥛 Warm milk: 1 cup (240ml); 🧈 Unsalted butter (softened): 200g (7 oz); 🍬 Granulated sugar: 2 tablespoons; 🧂 Salt: 1 teaspoon; 🍞 Instant yeast: 1 packet (7g); 🥚 Egg (for brushing): 1

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

There’s something truly special about making a Gipfeli recipe from scratch. These golden, buttery pastries are a staple in Swiss bakeries, offering the perfect balance of crisp, flaky layers and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Whether you’re indulging in a warm Gipfeli for breakfast, pairing it with a cup of coffee, or savoring it as an afternoon treat, this pastry always adds a touch of comfort and elegance to your day.

At first glance, making a Gipfeli recipe at home might seem like a challenge, but with the right guidance, you’ll find it surprisingly approachable. This recipe will take you through every step—from preparing the dough to achieving that perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust—so you can enjoy fresh, homemade Gipfeli with ease. If you’ve ever wanted to recreate the magic of a bakery-style pastry in your own kitchen, this guide will help you master the art of Gipfeli baking in no time!

If you like this, you’ll probably love my Easy Mini Cupcakes Recipe!

What is Gipfeli?

Two golden-brown Gipfeli (Swiss croissants) with a flaky, crispy texture, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with a fresh mint leaf, served on a blue and white patterned plate.

Gipfeli is a beloved Swiss pastry known for its delicate crescent shape and beautifully golden crust. While it’s often compared to a croissant, Gipfeli has a slightly firmer texture and a more subtle buttery flavor, making it a distinct treat of its own. Whether enjoyed plain or filled with chocolate, jam, or even savory ingredients like ham and cheese, Gipfeli offers something for every palate.

Deeply rooted in Swiss culture, Gipfeli has been a cherished breakfast staple and bakery favorite for generations. Unlike its French cousin, the croissant, Gipfeli tends to have a mild sweetness that enhances both sweet and savory flavors. This unique touch makes it the perfect companion for morning coffee, a light snack, or even an elegant addition to brunch.

For those who love flaky, buttery pastries but want something a little lighter, Gipfeli is the ideal choice. It carries a rich history, a satisfying texture, and endless versatility—all wrapped up in a beautifully baked crescent. And now, thanks to this step-by-step recipe, you can bring the taste of an authentic Gipfeli into your own kitchen.

Just like my dear Grandma Mary Wilson used to say, “A day that starts with a warm Gipfeli is bound to be a good one!”

Why You’ll Love This Gipfeli Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of biting into a warm, freshly baked Gipfeli—crisp on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. This recipe is perfect for anyone who enjoys homemade pastries but wants a straightforward, foolproof approach. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying Gipfeli for the first time, you’ll find plenty of reasons to fall in love with this recipe.

✔ Light, Flaky, and Buttery – Unlike store-bought versions, homemade Gipfeli are made with real butter and carefully layered dough, creating an irresistibly crisp yet tender texture.

✔ Simple Ingredients, Amazing Results – You don’t need fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients—just a few pantry staples come together to make a bakery-quality pastry at home.

✔ Perfect for Any Occasion – Enjoy them for breakfast, as a midday snack, or alongside your afternoon coffee. These Gipfeli are versatile and always a crowd-pleaser.

✔ Make-Ahead & Freezer Friendly – Prepare the dough in advance and freeze it for easy, freshly baked Gipfeli whenever you crave them.

✔ A Taste of Tradition – Bring a little bit of Swiss heritage into your home with this classic recipe. There’s something special about recreating a time-honored favorite from scratch!

Once you try this recipe, it might just become a new favorite in your home—just like it has been in mine for generations!

Ingredients for Gipfeli Recipe 🥐

A flat-lay photo of ingredients for Gipfeli (Swiss croissants) arranged on a rustic wooden table. The image includes a ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a glass jar of warm milk with condensation, softened unsalted butter on a marble slab, a glass jar of granulated sugar, a tiny dish with a pinch of salt, a small glass container of instant yeast, and a cracked egg in a ceramic bowl. The scene is illuminated by natural morning light, with soft shadows and warm tones, creating a cozy bakery-style atmosphere.

The secret to perfect Gipfeli lies in using the right ingredients. Each component plays a key role in achieving the light, flaky texture and rich, buttery flavor that make this pastry so irresistible. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Ingredient	Quantity
🌾 All-purpose flour	3 cups (360g)
🥛 Warm milk	1 cup (240ml)
🧈 Unsalted butter (softened)	200g (7 oz)
🍬 Granulated sugar	2 tablespoons
🧂 Salt	1 teaspoon
🍞 Instant yeast	1 packet (7g)
🥚 Egg (for brushing)	1

Each ingredient contributes to the perfect balance of flavor and texture—the flour provides structure, the butter creates flaky layers, and the yeast helps the dough rise beautifully.

Want to take your Gipfeli to the next level? Try adding chocolate, jam, or cheese for a delicious twist! Now, let’s start baking! 🧑‍🍳✨

How to Make Gipfeli Recipe 🥐

Making Gipfeli from scratch is a rewarding experience that results in light, buttery, and flaky pastries with that signature golden crescent shape. Follow these simple steps to create the perfect homemade Gipfeli.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough 🥛

A close-up photo of preparing Gipfeli dough in a kitchen. A mixing bowl with foamy yeast, warm milk, and sugar sits on a marble countertop. Nearby, a bag of all-purpose flour, softened butter on a plate, and a pinch of salt in a small dish. A stand mixer with a dough hook attachment is visible in the background. Warm, natural lighting creates a cozy baking atmosphere.

Start by activating the yeast. In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step ensures your dough will rise properly.

Next, add flour, salt, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough by hand or using a stand mixer for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Roll and Fold 🍞

Once the dough has risen, it’s time to create the delicate layers that make Gipfeli so special.

A flat-lay photo of rolling and folding Gipfeli dough. A smooth, elastic dough is rolled into a large rectangle on a lightly floured wooden surface. Hands are folding the dough into thirds like a letter, with a rolling pin and flour dust visible. Plastic wrap is nearby, ready to wrap the dough for chilling. Warm, natural lighting highlights the dough's texture and layers.

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
Fold the dough into thirds like a letter, bringing each end toward the center.
Wrap the folded dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Repeat the rolling and folding three times to build those buttery layers.

Step 3: Shape the Gipfeli 🥐

Now that your dough is perfectly layered, it’s time to shape your Gipfeli!

A photo of shaping Gipfeli pastries. A thin rectangle of dough is rolled out on a floured surface, with a sharp knife cutting it into long triangles. Hands are rolling a triangle from the base to the tip, forming a crescent shape. A parchment-lined baking sheet with shaped Gipfeli is ready for proofing. Warm, natural lighting emphasizes the dough's layers and shaping process.

Roll out the chilled dough into a thin rectangle (about 1/8 inch thick).
Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into long triangles, with bases about 3-4 inches wide.
Starting at the wide base, tightly roll each triangle towards the tip, forming a crescent shape.
Place the shaped Gipfeli on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.

Step 4: Proof and Bake 🍳

Before baking, allow the shaped Gipfeli to proof for 30 minutes, so they puff up slightly. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

A kitchen photo of proofing and baking Gipfeli. A baking sheet holds crescent-shaped Gipfeli, slightly puffed up after proofing. A bowl of beaten egg and a pastry brush are nearby, ready for glazing. An oven preheating to 375°F (190°C) is visible in the background. Warm, golden lighting highlights the pastries' texture and golden crust.

Once proofed, brush each Gipfeli with a beaten egg for a beautiful golden crust.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and flaky. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy ☕️

Freshly baked Gipfeli (Swiss croissants) with a golden, flaky crust and delicate layers, neatly arranged on a parchment-lined baking tray. The pastries are lightly dusted with powdered sugar, highlighting their crisp, buttery texture.

Let the Gipfeli cool slightly before serving. These pastries are best enjoyed warm and pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, these homemade Gipfeli are sure to impress!

💡 Grandma Mary Wilson Tip: For an extra crispy crust, place a small dish of water in the oven while baking. The steam will help create beautifully flaky layers—just like the ones from a Swiss bakery!

Tips for Making the Best Gipfeli Recipe 🥐

Want to make your Gipfeli extra flaky, buttery, and bakery-perfect? Follow these expert tips to take your homemade pastries to the next level!

Use Cold Butter for Perfect Layers 🧈

The secret to light, flaky Gipfeli is cold butter. When rolling and folding the dough, make sure your butter is chilled—this creates air pockets as it melts during baking, resulting in that irresistibly crisp texture.

Chill Between Each Fold ❄️

Patience is key! After each fold and roll, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This prevents the butter from melting too soon and makes the dough easier to handle, helping you achieve perfect, even layers.

Brush with Egg Wash for a Golden Finish 🥚

For that gorgeous, bakery-style golden brown crust, brush your Gipfeli with a beaten egg just before baking. This not only enhances the color but also gives the pastries a beautiful shine.

Experiment with Delicious Fillings 🍫🧀

While traditional Gipfeli are delicious on their own, don’t be afraid to get creative with fillings! Add chocolate, fruit jam, almond paste, or cheese for a tasty twist that makes your homemade pastries even more special.

Don’t Overproof the Dough ⏳

Letting the dough rise too long can make it too airy, resulting in less structure and a softer bite. Keep an eye on proofing times to ensure your Gipfeli hold their signature crescent shape while baking.

With these tips, you’ll be able to master the art of Gipfeli baking and enjoy homemade pastries that rival those from the best Swiss bakeries! Happy baking! 😋

Gipfeli Recipe FAQs ❓

Got questions about Gipfeli? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions to help you understand this delicious Swiss pastry better!

What is the difference between a croissant and a Gipfeli?

While Gipfeli and croissants may look similar, they have distinct differences. Croissants are made with a laminated dough, meaning layers of butter are folded in multiple times to create a very airy and flaky texture. Gipfeli, on the other hand, are slightly denser, with a more compact crumb and often a hint of sweetness. They contain less butter than croissants, making them a bit firmer but equally delicious!

What is the Swiss version of a croissant?

The Swiss version of a croissant is Gipfeli! Unlike French croissants, Swiss Gipfeli are often made with less butter and have a slightly firmer texture. Some versions also have a subtle sweetness, making them perfect for both sweet and savory fillings. They are a staple in Swiss bakeries and a must-try for pastry lovers.

What is a Nussgipfel?

A Nussgipfel (literally “nut Gipfeli”) is a variation of Gipfeli filled with a sweet nut-based paste, typically made from ground hazelnuts, almonds, or walnuts mixed with sugar and a touch of cream. This version is popular in Switzerland and is a delicious choice for those who love nutty flavors in their pastries.

What ingredients are in a croissant?

A classic croissant is made with flour, butter, sugar, yeast, milk, salt, and eggs. The key difference between croissants and Gipfeli is the lamination process, where butter is layered and folded multiple times to create a flaky, airy texture. Gipfeli, while also buttery, have a slightly different texture due to less lamination and butter content.

Now that you know more about Gipfeli, it’s time to enjoy your homemade pastries! Happy baking! 🥐✨

Six golden-brown Gipfeli (Swiss croissants) with a beautifully layered, flaky texture, arranged on a round wooden board. The pastries have a crisp, caramelized crust and a soft interior, set against a cozy kitchen background with a cloth napkin and blurred wooden chairs.

Final Thoughts: Bring the Magic of Gipfeli to Your Kitchen! 🥐✨

Baking Gipfeli isn’t just about making a pastry—it’s about creating something special, something that fills your kitchen with the warm, buttery aroma of tradition and love. From the flaky layers to the golden crust, every bite of a homemade Gipfeli is a tiny taste of Swiss perfection.

But here’s the real secret ingredient—the joy of baking! Whether you’re making these for yourself, your family, or to impress your brunch guests, the experience of shaping, rolling, and savoring a freshly baked Gipfeli is one you’ll never forget. And hey, don’t stress if they’re not bakery-perfect the first time—Grandma Mary Wilson always said, “The best pastries are made with a little love and a lot of laughter!”

So, what are you waiting for? Flour those hands, roll that dough, and bake up some magic! Your kitchen is about to become the coziest little Swiss bakery in town. 🏡💛

And remember—whether you enjoy your Gipfeli plain, filled, dipped, or drizzled—it’s always best when shared. Happy baking, and may your days always be as golden and flaky as a fresh-out-of-the-oven Gipfeli! 😋🥐✨

gipfeli recipe

Table of Contents